Just over a week after the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) called for immediate action against immigrants without valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and urged law enforcement to conduct regular checks at the Namsa and Naginimora gates, an ILP verification drive was carried out in Mon Town.
On July 20, 2024, the District Administration and Police, led by Echungbemo Erui (SDO C), Tshelhiu (EAC HQ), and T Imlongchaba Chang (EAC Sadar), organized the drive to identify illegal immigrants and ILP defaulters.
The operation, which involved three teams, resulted in the detection of numerous defaulters, including individuals with expired permits and those without valid passes. The detected defaulters were penalized as per regulations.
The verification drive was described as part of a routine drive and said that it will be conducted “periodically” to check illegal immigrants and defaulters within Mon District.
The KSU has previously voiced concerns about the increasing number of immigrants entering the district without valid ILPs, citing threats to the social and cultural fabric of the community.
The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by state governments to regulate the entry of Indian citizens into protected areas for a specified duration. It is mandatory for Indian citizens from outside these states to obtain an ILP to enter protected regions, including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and the Lakshadweep islands.
The concept of the ILP dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, aimed at restricting the entry and stay of outsiders. For foreign tourists, a Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required, distinct from the ILP for domestic travelers. According to the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, any land within the inner line of these states is designated a protected area, necessitating a PAP for entry.