A regional level Seminar-&-Workshop on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873, organized by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), was held at Ura Hotel Kohima with scholars from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland on Friday.
Convener HPC NSF and research scholar Nagaland University, Sechumo Lotha (NSN), in his address on the origin and scope of BEFR 1873 said the history of colonization of the Naga Hills by the British was initially intended to safeguard British interest in their administered areas in Assam. He added that due to this reason, the British administration did not interfere in the internal affairs of the Nagas and followed a policy of non-intervention.
According to Lotha, the intention of the British colonial government in implementing an inner line regulation in the erstwhile Naga Hills was still an unexplored subject that needs further investigation.
Assistant professor, department of political science, Government Hrangbana College Aizawl, Mizoram, R. Lalrinkima in his address on “Critical analysis of the implementation of inner line regulation in Mizoram” said some regarded it as an outdated concept as they saw it as a mechanism of colonial rule to escalate division among the tribal people and a hindrance to integration. On the other hand, he opined, some saw it as a device of protection for the rights of minorities.
Speaking about the common thought about this in Mizoram, he said that in Mizoram, anything that challenges the identity of Mizos has to face the whole society, including the state government and NGOs, who usually come together and fight against such things.
Assistant professor, department of Political Science, Mizoram University, Lallianchhunga spoke on the topic “Counter narrative arguments against inner line regulation.” He said that ever since the introduction of inner line regulations in Mizoram, scholars were divided in their opinion of it.
Principal City law college Dimapur P. Leonard Aier spoke on “A critical analysis of the implementation of inner line regulation in Nagaland.” He said the ILP implementation in Nagaland was not effective and casual. Failure by successive governments and the people to enforce the ILP could lead to destruction of Naga society in future, he said.
Professor Jumyir Basar from Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi University, also spoke at the program on the topic “A critical analysis on the implementation of inner line regulation in Arunachal Pradesh”.
After the first session, there were panel discussions held, divided into four groups on the ILP subject.
The summative conclusions of the panel discussion suggested, among other things, setting up a separate cell for ILP, proper maintenance of ILP data, periodical ECI review of E-roll, immediate and comprehensive ILP regulations for Nagaland, create awareness and sensitize administration/local/non local citizens and educate all stakeholders, immediately review all PRC issued to non–locals, extension of inner line zone covering the entire state including Dimapur, locals should immediately stop patronage of non-locals, and initiate NRC in Nagaland.
The program was attended by former leaders of NSF, student leaders of various tribes, intellectuals, scholars, well wishers and others.