Nagaland has been placed on high alert following an eviction drive by the Assam government targeting illegal settlers in reserve forest areas. With fears of a possible influx of displaced individuals into Nagaland, particularly border districts like Mokokchung, the state government and law enforcement agencies have stepped up vigilance measures and issued strong advisories to the public.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma, IPS, addressed the situation on Tuesday in an interview with ANI, stating that the issue “is primarily due to the eviction drives carried out by the Assam government and various reserve forests in Assam.” He clarified, “Those being referred to as ‘illegal immigrants’ are, in fact, illegal settlers who had encroached upon reserve forest areas in Assam.”
Sharma noted that many of the evicted settlers, along with their belongings, could try to enter Nagaland. “Their eviction is part of a drive undertaken by the Assam Forest Department and other state agencies, as permanent settlement is not allowed in forest land,” he said. In response, Nagaland Police have intensified surveillance at key points along the inter-state border, with increased patrolling and checkpoints to prevent unauthorized entries.
The DGP stressed that many of these individuals do not possess Inner Line Permits (ILPs), making their entry illegal under Nagaland’s ILP regime. “Without verifying nationality, these individuals cannot be labelled as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,” he added, cautioning against hasty assumptions.
Sharma said the state government has already directed Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police (SPs), Officers-in-Charge (OCs) and local authorities “not to allow these people to enter Nagaland.”
“On our side, we have increased the presence of the police force and the Indian Reserve Battalion in the bordering areas with Assam,” he said. “We have directed all the SPs, SDPOs, OCs, NGOs, non-registered officers, and the Thana staff, even the IRB and NAP personnel, to go to each and every village along the border, meet the village councils, meet the village representatives, and inform them that undocumented people should not be allowed to come into Nagaland.
“People without ILPs should not be allowed to come”
He further said that “if anyone tries to come, it should be reported to the district administration as well as the police.” Sharma expressed hope that with this heightened vigilance, “not too many people will be able to enter Nagaland without proper documentation or without records.”
Sharma also clarified that “illegal immigrants” refers to undocumented foreigners who do not possess valid visas and may be subject to deportation. He pointed out that while many suspected immigrants come from Assam or Bengal, determining their nationality remains a challenge.
“In Nagaland, Indian citizens without an ILP are also considered illegal under local laws,” he said, noting that over 2,000 people had recently been asked to obtain ILPs during state-wide verification drives. “If people are not having proper ILPs, it could be because of a variety of reasons. People are not aware of the ILP regime, especially in the Dimapur area, because it’s recently been introduced,” he added.
The DGP suggested implementing tenant registration as an added measure to monitor the floating population. “I think there is a requirement for knowing where people are staying in Nagaland,” Sharma said. “Hotels and landlords need to be a bit more careful. We should have a system where landlords in Nagaland are aware of who is staying in their houses.” He said the aim is not to “harm anyone but to have more security for everybody in society.”
“If we have a system of registration, I think it is a good point of beginning for the police and law enforcement agencies and administration in case a crime is committed by a suspicious immigrant or a person who has come from outside.”
He also cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands. “Any suspicions should be reported to the police or district administration to avoid misunderstandings that could escalate,” Sharma said. “Citizens are encouraged to share information with any level of police personnel, from constables to senior officers.” (With inputs from PTI)
Mokokchung District issues public alert
The District Administration of Mokokchung has issued a public alert, stating that “there is apprehension/risk that some displaced individuals may attempt to cross into Mokokchung District” in light of the Assam eviction drive. Authorities have issued “necessary directives to all Administrative Officers, Police, Village Councils and other relevant stakeholders for monitoring the situation to curb any potential influx of illegal immigrants to Mokokchung District.”
A coordination meeting with enforcement agencies and civil society organizations has already been held. The administration stated it is “working in close coordination with Police, enforcement agencies and Civil Society Organisations for effective monitoring.”
The administration appealed to “all the Village Councils, ULBs/Towns, GBs, Civil Society Organisations and public in general to remain vigilant and report immediately if there is any likelihood of potential influx of illegal immigrants to Mokokchung District.” A contact list of officials has also been provided for public reference.
It further stated that “anyone found accommodating and sheltering such illegal immigrant shall be liable to be punished under relevant provisions of the law,” and emphasized that the measure is “initiated for maintaining peace and tranquility in the region in general and to safeguard the demographic integrity of Mokokchung District in particular.”
Contact details of officials for reporting suspected illegal immigrants
Mokokchung Sadar
1. Temsuchuba Jamir – SDO(C), P.S-I & II – 7005831306
2. Tizhisie Pojar – SDPO, Hq, P.S-I & II – 9862023209
3. Vikchieto Kennao – UBI, Mkg P.S-I – 8787730625
4. Isihangbe – UBI, Mkg P.S-II – 8974798343
Mangkolemba Sadar
1. Rohbi Sangtam – SDO(C), P.S Mangkolemba – 7005743163
2. Sashikokba – UBI, P.S Mangkolemba – 7005643236
Longchem Circle
1. Rohbi Sangtam – SDO(C), P.S Longchem – 7005743163
2. Mugulhu Sapu – UBI, P.S Longchem – 9366094865
Alongkima Circle
1. Rohbi Sangtam – SDO(C), P.S Mangkolemba – 7005743163
2. Sashikokba – UBI, P.S Mangkolemba – 7005643236
Merangmen Circle
1. Rumbemo T. Kithan – B.M, Tzükong, P.S Longtho – 8837419824
2. Chubaonen – UBI, P.S Longtho – 8837473923
Tuli Sadar
1. Nukshimatong – SDO(C), P.S Tuli – 8974194177
2. Posehu Kezo – UBI, P.S Tuli – 7630856828
Changtongya Circle
1. Nukshimatong – SDO(C), Changtongya P.S – 8974194177
2. Akumnungsang – UBI, Changtongya P.S – 7005701720
Chuchuyimlang Circle
1. Chubamongla Kichu – EAC, Changtongya P.S – 8729937300
2. Akumnungsang – UBI, Changtongya P.S – 7005701720
Kobulong Circle
1. Vitolu – EAC, P.S Kubolong – 8014610298
2. Longtimendang Tzudir – UBI, P.S Kubolong – 9862555552
Ongpangkong Circle
1. Sangpangchang Longkumer – EAC, P.S-I & II, Mkg – 9862853994
2. Vikehieto Kennao – UBI, Mkg P.S-I – 8787730625
3. Isihangbe – UBI, Mkg P.S-II – 8974798343