Drive against ILP defaulters underway

Following the State Cabinet’s decision to strengthen the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in Nagaland and the directive issued by the Home department on May 14, police personnel carried out ILP verification drives at various locations in Dimapur and Chümoukedima on Wednesday.
During the drive, several hundred ILP defaulters were detected. However since this was the first day, the police sensitized the individuals about the newly introduced ILP system and urged them to apply online in accordance with the state government’s guidelines.
Though several individuals were caught off guard during the drive, an official stated that, being the first day of enforcement, police and officials on duty primarily focused on sensitizing the public about the ILP system and urged them to apply or renew their ILPs online in accordance with the state government’s guidelines. Some individuals, however, expressed dismay over the sudden checks without prior notice or time to apply/renew the ILP.
Authorities were yet to carry out the ILP verification drive at Dimapur airport and Railway station.
As per the latest directive, the government has introduced two categories of exemption based on cut-off dates. Residents who settled in Nagaland prior to 1963 will be issued Smart Cards, while those who settled between 1963 and November 1979 will be eligible for Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs). For non-Naga indigenous residents who currently do not possess PRCs, it was learnt that the matter is currently under review.
Revised ILP fee structure
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur notified revision of fee structure and guidelines for the issuance of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) within Dimapur district.
In a notification, DC Dimapur informed that revised provisions have been implemented with immediate effect, as per the Home Department’s Political Branch Notification dated September 20, 2024.
DC notified that new fee structure categorized ILP applicants into various groups including domestic and foreign tourists, traders, labourers, students, teachers, priests, consultants, and business partners.
As per the notification, fees and validity vary from category to category, with fresh ILP charges ranging from Rs. 200 for domestic tourists to Rs. 5000 for business partners.
It stated that renewal fees were applicable for select categories, with the highest renewal charge being Rs. 3000 for business partners for a three-year term. Key documents required include Aadhaar, educational certificates, business registration proofs, and in some cases, a local guarantor. However, students and foreign tourists have been exempted from needing a guarantor.
Further, ILP applications from residents of Assam’s Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, and Karbi Anglong districts must be accompanied by NRC documents. ILP application process has transitioned fully online, effective from December 31, 2024. Offline applications are no longer accepted.
The notification also categorized ILP exemption based on settlers’ dates of residence in Dimapur: Individuals or families settled before December 1, 1963, are exempted and can obtain a Smart Card. Settlers between December 2, 1963, and November 21, 1979, are also exempted upon issuance of a Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC).
Those settling on or after November 22, 1979, are required to obtain an ILP as per government guidelines. For further clarification on ILP issuance, the deputy commissioner will forward queries to the Commissioner, Nagaland.