ILRC NSF holds sensitization program at Kohima Science College
As part of its ‘Sensitization Tour of Colleges on Inner Line Regulation (ILR)’, the Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) visited Kohima Science College Jotsoma (Autonomous) on October 17 and held a program with the college students.
During the event, ILRC chairman Senchumo NSN Lotha presented a public appraisal on the Inner Line Pass (ILP) in relation to the NSF’s demands. He traced the history of the ILP, noting that it was introduced in the Naga Hills on 1st November 1873 under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 by the British colonial administration. The regulation was intended to protect Naga land, culture, and economy, while regulating interactions with outsiders. Lotha highlighted that while other northeastern communities like the Mizos effectively used the ILP, Nagaland has seen continued influx of outsiders, leading to concerns over cultural and economic control.
The NSF called for stronger measures to ensure effective ILP enforcement. Key appeals included establishing a centralised database for ILP issuance, setting up new and strengthening existing checkpoints at borders, airports, and railway stations, and creating a dedicated ILP enforcement wing. The Federation also emphasised transparency in fee collection, clear criteria for trade licenses, strict penalties for defaulters, and limited ILP extensions. Additionally, NSF recommended the constitution of an autonomous Nagaland Inner Line Regulation Commission to oversee enforcement.
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