With the Assam government intensifying its eviction drive against illegal immigrants, concerns over potential spillover into Nagaland have triggered heightened vigilance across the state.
Several tribal, student, and village-based organisations have issued strong statements and directives urging district administrations to seal borders, reinforce local monitoring, and prevent illegal settlers from gaining a foothold. The organisations warned of serious demographic, cultural, and security risks if urgent measures were not undertaken by both the government and the public.
CDVCA calls for vigilance in border villages: The Chümoukedima District Village Councils’ Association (CDVCA) has requested all the member villages, especially those in close proximity with Assam such as Urra, Murise, Tsithrongse, Kiyeto, Dhansiripar, etc, to deploy volunteers and be vigilant round the clock since these villages were situated close to the Dhansiri river which served as the interstate boundary.
CDVCA convener Razouvotuo Chatsu and secretary Vika H Chishi in a press release also appealed all village councils in Chümoukedima district to ensure that there were no new unregistered immigrants in their respective jurisdictions.
They said if such persons were detected, the councils should immediately bring it to the notice of the district administration for further action. Further, appealing the state government to deploy adequate police personnel to conduct patrolling activities along Dhansiri river banks, which could be used as entry points by illegal immigrants, they urged the government to ensure proper mechanism was in place at Shokhuvi railway station too to ensure strict monitoring of Inner Line Permits (ILPs) so that any means to enter the state illegally could be diligently handled.
They directed all village councils in the district to coordinate with the district administration and hasten the ILP drive, and strictly implement the ILP regime.
Western Sümi bodies resolve to prevent influx: The Western Sümi frontal organisations including Western Sümi Hoho (WSH), Western Sümi Kukami Hoho (WSKH), Western Sümi Totimi Hoho (WSTH), Western Sümi Youth Front (WSYF), Western Sümi Students’ Union (WSSU) and Western Sümi Sports Association (WSSA) have resolved to step up vigilance, take proactive measures and prevent potential influx of illegal immigrants.
In a joint statement, WSH president Shikaho Jimo, general secretary Vikato Shikhu Achumi, WSKH president Akukatou Khehovi Chophi and general secretary Akukau Shiwoto Chishi, stated that the resolution was adopted at a joint meeting of Western Sümi frontal organizations. The house expressed grave concern over the potential threats posed by such influx to the demographic composition, socio-economic stability, and cultural identity of the Naga community.
Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, the meeting resolved to form village-level vigilance committees, which would be tasked with monitoring and reporting any suspicious movement or unauthorized settlements.
It was also resolved that organizations would maintain close cooperation with the district administration, police, and other relevant authorities to report suspected cases and advocate for the strict enforcement of immigration and land ownership regulations.
The Western Sümi frontal organisations have urged the state government to conduct periodic verification and documentation exercises. They also resolved that advocacy efforts would be made to enhance surveillance in vulnerable border areas, including the deployment of adequate community volunteers to deter unauthorized entry. The organisations have called upon the members of community to remain vigilant and actively support the initiatives in the interest of regional peace, security and harmony.
AKM urges dist admin to seal border with Assam: Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) has urged the Mokokchung district administration to seal the border with Assam to prevent any illegal immigrants from entering the district.
In a press release, AKM vice president Onenpong and assistant general secretary Bangjungkaba Imchen cautioned that in the event of any illegal immigrant found anywhere within Mokokchung district, AKM would take immediate action, and the district administration would be held responsible for any untoward incident.
Asserting that issue of illegal immigration in North East was not new, AKM said the ongoing eviction drive against illegal immigrants by the Assam government should not come as a surprise. Apex Ao student body said it would be rather shameful if the government and the people of Nagaland were caught off-guard in the aftermath of those evection drives.
AKM said it had been leading the campaign against illegal immigrants in Mokokchung since 2007. It said that the movement was rooted in protecting the integrity of the indigenous people of Mokokchung and, by extension, Nagaland.
Stating that the threat posed by illegal immigration was real, AKM affirmed its commitment to preserving and safeguarding indigenous people “against this existential threat.”
Appreciating the state government for raising alarm after the Assam eviction drive, AMK, however, said it expected tangible action on the ground from government agencies and law enforcement.
AKM has called upon all right-thinking citizens to stay vigilant against illegal immigration, which threatened the very identity, culture, land, peoplehood, and survival of the native people.
Meanwhile, the union has directed all the range/units under AKM to remain vigilant and reinforce the ‘Survival Mokokchung’ campaign to counter the perpetual threat of illegal immigration.
CYF calls for vigilance: Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) has appeal to the Phek district administration to strengthen border vigilance and intensify checks at entry points to deter illegal infiltration.
In a press release, CYF president Kuvesa Khamo and joint secretary Tavikho Krome expressed grave concern over the displacement of numerous individuals, some of whom, they claimed, have already entered Nagaland without legal documentation.
To uphold the safety, security, and demographic integrity of Phek district, CYF has urged all its units to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious movements, unknown individuals, or unusual activities to the district administration.
The youth body also urged the district administration to conduct thorough verification procedures for individuals lacking proper documentation/ valid identity.
It has called for taking prompt legal action, including deportation, against those identified as illegal immigrants.
Further, CYF has demanded setting up helpline number for reporting such cases.
The youth front has requested all the villages, towns, and settlements under Phek district to strictly adhere to its directive. It appealed to the village councils, ward authorities, and local organizations to monitor new arrivals and conduct necessary verifications to prevent unauthorized entry or settlement.
ASUD seeks urgent govt action against illegal settlers: Expressing deep concern over the alleged inaction of authorities, the Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) has once again raised alarm over the growing menace of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) in Dimapur, asserting that the issue, first highlighted in their official representation dated June 30, 2025, remains unaddressed.
In a press release issued by ASUD president Imnatemsu Pongen and general secretary Tongpangnechet Kichu, the union stated that since their last correspondence, multiple criminal incidents were reported in Dimapur allegedly involving undocumented individuals, reinforcing long-standing fears that inaction would only further embolden unlawful elements and the threat such elements pose to public safety, economic stability, and the demographic integrity of the land.
The union said that recent events in Assam, where an eviction drive led to violent retaliation and even a fatality, should serve as a cautionary tale for Nagaland. What began as a lawful act of reclamation quickly escalated into a breakdown of law and order, underscoring how entrenched and emboldened such illegal settlements can become if not addressed in a timely and decisive manner, it added.
ASUD cautioned that Nagaland must not wait for a similar flashpoint, adding that every delay in addressing the issue would only make the situation harder to control and increases the risk of violent confrontation, political unrest, and irreversible demographic shifts.
Reiterating its earlier recommendations, ASUD urged the state government to implement the following measures without delay.
Creation of a centralised biometric ILP database to prevent permit forgery and improve traceability of non-indigenous residents.
Permanent ILP and ID check posts at all Dimapur entry points, equipped with biometric scanners and surveillance.
Strict accountability framework for guarantors of non-ILP holders to discourage fake endorsements and incentivize due diligence among locals.
Comprehensive landholding and tenancy audits, particularly in foothill areas where land grabbing by undocumented settlers have become rampant.
Formation of district-level screening committees, involving student bodies, tribal councils, and Gaonburas, to detect overstay and fraudulent permits.
Legal action under existing laws including the Foreigners Act (1946), Passport (Entry into India) Act (1920), and the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act (1950), with the latter recommended for application in Nagaland.
ASUD also reiterated its demographic concerns, citing the 2011 Census which indicated that over 60% of Nagaland’s non-indigenous population resided in Dimapur. With regulatory lapses, this figure is believed to have further increased, it said.
Decrying what it termed as “silence and delays” on the part of the authorities, the union warned that Dimapur could soon become a “lawless corridor of unchecked migration and criminal impunity,” undermining Article 371(A) and the rule of law.
ASUD reiterated its commitment to cooperate with the administration in all enforcement, verification, and awareness campaigns. However, the union urged for immediate and visible government action before the situation spirals beyond repair.