The decision to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) across Nagaland, including all three districts under the erstwhile Dimapur district, is set to pose a serious challenge for the state. While the administrative aspect of implementation may be relatively manageable, the larger concern lies in the potential hardship it will place on several thousand people of non-Naga communities whose forefathers have been residents of Dimapur for over one century. Many of them were born in Dimapur in the seventies and continue to reside in it. The demand for ILP has long been driven by concerns of being overwhelmed especially by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs)- the community whose ubiquitous visibility has aroused concern of domination and control of trade and business and seriously, potential threat on the demography. The ILP, governed by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act, was originally introduced to regulate the entry of non-local Indian citizens into restricted tribal areas. However, the present discourse around ILP not only affects suspected IBIs but also non-Naga non-indigenous people who have been living in Nagaland for over five to six decades. The narrative raises a fundamental point: the ILP is not designed to deal with illegal immigration or foreigners. It is an administrative mechanism to control internal migration within India. The issue of illegal immigrants, on the other hand, involves a separate and more complex legal framework. Blurring the distinction between the two risks creating confusion, and more critically, alienating long-term residents who have made Dimapur their home for generations. In an effort to address these concerns, the state government announced the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) in July 2019. RIIN was intended as a definitive record to determine who qualifies as an indigenous inhabitant, and by extension, who would be exempt from ILP restrictions. A commission was constituted and submitted its report by the end of that year. The indigenous communities such as Garos, Kacharis, Mikirs, Gorkhas and Kukis have lived for over 60 years or more and are also concerned about their future status. This means going beyond symbolism and moving towards practical, inclusive policies. Striking a balance is crucial—between regulating population movement and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all residents, whether local or non-local. Clear distinctions must be made between internal migrants and illegal immigrants, and mechanisms must be put in place to manage both issues without conflation. Allowing the matter to escalate into a divisive narrative based on race or religion would have far-reaching and damaging consequences-social disintegration, economic stagnation, and erosion of cultural identity. What is needed is not more rhetoric, but a unified, transparent approach that protects the rights of all who have been living in Nagaland for over 60 years; while upholding the rule of law and social harmony. Nagaland must act now-before the situation becomes irreversible. The inherent danger is that ILP could trigger a negative reaction where the broader economic concerns could be affected. Clearly the government has to weigh in all angles and ensure that the logic determines what should be done to ensure that the means are legal and humane.
Saturday, June 28, 2025