ILP drive in Dimapur draws mixed reactions

Enforcement of Inner Line Permit(ILP) throughout Dimapur including Chümoukedima and Niuland districts reveal a level of unpreparedness and a lack of co-ordinationat several levels.
Erstwhile Dimapur subdivision was declared as a tribal belt through the November 1979 notification and later brought under the ILP regime in December 2019.
ILP was implemented in Nagaland in 1873 with the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation(BEFR) by the British government to demarcate tribal areas from the plains.
The stated purpose of the ILP was to protect the indigenous people and their culture by restricting land acquisition by non-indigenous people.
As per the 1925 notification erstwhile Dimapur sub-division was excluded from ILP till it was notified by the state government in 1979. All travelers enroute Kohima through erstwhile Dimapur subdivision had to produce ILP at the old Dimapur-Kohima Police Check Gate at Chümoukedima later shifted to its present location beyond the Chathe river bridge.
The hurdles towards smooth implementation stems from the fact that around 50% of the population include non-Naga communities besides lack of adequate information about the various criteria for obtaining ILP. Also there are many non-Naga families of who have settled in the district even prior to 1963.
Some of the local leaders opined that there was some confusion regarding involvement of stakeholders.
The confusion was rife at New Market area, inhabited pre-dominantly by non-Naga communities. Speaking to this Reporter, Gaon Burah (GB) of New Market Ward-19, Khekishe Aye, and Ward 19 councilor Kili N. Sumi claimed that no prior coordination or communication was made regarding the sensitization efforts with local authorities or ward representatives.
They admitted that sensitization of ILP was necessary and a welcome step though they pointed out that the absence of structured planning and proper involvement of local stakeholders led to confusion which reduced the effectiveness of the exercise.
Explaining the matter, Commissioner of Police (CP), Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie said sensitization and awareness drive were initially conducted in coordination with the district administration.
He said that the objective of the drive was to engage with vendors operating in the New Market area and to remind them of the significance of the ILP and the necessity of proper registration.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur Dr Tinojongshi Chang explained that the ILP sensitization drive was an instantaneous move. He said that upon learning about the reported lack of coordination, he had communicated the matter with the officers concerned.
He emphasized on proper coordination among departments to ensure that such drives were conducted effectively and without confusion.
Another prominent businessman from the non-Naga community opined that the spouse or daughter-in law of those falling under the ‘exempted category’ should also be given exemption with limitation of rights.
The businessman also suggested those under ‘exempted category’ should be authorized to provide guarantee of their employees after providing sufficient documented proof like trade license or employment letters.
Also, it was suggested that employers be given authority as guarantors for salaried employees/workers.
The other suggestions was to have an additional category under “Others” in order to accommodate non-working wives or parents of employees etc.
It was also suggested the a single family unit be covered under ILP regime and guarantee obtained either from those exempted or some other local persons.