The Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has called for initiating and institutionalising a mandatory landlord-tenant registration system across the state as a critical supporting mechanism for the effective enforcement of the Inner Line Pass (ILP) system under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873.
In a representation to the chief secretary, NSF vice-president Mteisuding, and ILRC chairman Senchumo NSN Lotha and member secretary Seve R Vadeo claimed that ILP was a time-tested protective mechanism for the indigenous people of Nagaland.
However, they lamented that despite the introduction of online ILP and QR-code-based verification, there remained serious enforcement gaps, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas-clue to unmonitored settlement of ILP holders or ILP defaulters in private and informal rental accommodations. They maintained that this undermined the very intent of ILP regime.
They argued that a landlord-tenant registration framework would hold landlords accountable for verifying the ILP status of non-local tenants prior to renting property, provide law enforcement agencies with a clear and updated database of non-local residents across districts and municipalities, help detect and prevent overstay of ILP holders or presence of illegal immigrants, especially in the wake of recent developments in neighbouring Assam, and close loopholes where ILP holders moved and settled undetected in informal housing or rental arrangements after entry.
Citing precedents, the trio stated that while not formally tied to landlord-tenant regulation, Mizoram’s digitised ILP portal and sponsor tracking had greatly improved monitoring of entrants. They suggested that a similar approach could be adapted in Nagaland to include landlords as key stakeholders in monitoring the stay of ILP-holders.
In response to rising concerns of illegal immigration, they claimed that Assam had enforced registration of tenants in select districts under police and municipal oversight.
Pointing out that states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi already mandated tenant registration with local police for security and demographic verification purposes, they stressed that this was particularly important in areas with sensitive socio-political contexts.
Providing a framework, they proposed that the state government notify a system under which landlords must register all tenants, especially non-indigenous persons, with the nearest police station, municipal authority, or designated online portal.
They said this registration requirement must extend to all forms of accommodation, including shanties, temporary shelters, makeshift rooms, and informal housing — particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where unauthorised settlements were most likely to occur.
They insisted that registration must include key documents such as copies of the ILP, Aadhaar or other valid identity proof, and contact information of both the tenant and landlord.
Calling for a robust mechanism to penalise landlords who fail to register non-local tenants, conceal tenant details, or provide accommodation to individuals without valid ILPs, they suggested that penalties could include monetary fines, temporary suspension of rental rights, or legal prosecution in repeat or willful defaulter cases.
They emphasised that integration of this landlord-tenant registry with the existing, online ILP system was essential to enable real-time verification and monitoring by enforcement agencies.
Given the ongoing eviction drives in Assam and the potential for spillover of undocumented or displaced persons into border districts of Nagaland, the NSF leaders stated that they believed urgent action was needed to prevent unauthorised settlements and safeguard the demographic integrity of the state.
They requested the chief secretary to initiate necessary steps — either through a government notification or appropriate policy measure — to implement a statewide landlord-tenant registration system, ideally in coordination with the Home, and Law & Justice departments, and local police authorities.
They said they would be happy to share further inputs or cooperate with any working group or taskforce constituted for this purpose.
NSF calls for landlord-tenant registration system for effective enforcement of ILP
DIMAPUR, JUL 24 (NPN)