The Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the Nagaland government to strictly enforce the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland, calling them key routes for unchecked entry of non-locals.
At a press conference on Friday, ILRC convenor NSN Lotha said the commission had submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioners of the three districts, raising nine key questions on ILP enforcement since the areas were brought under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation in September 2024.
Among the queries raised were: the number of ILPs issued, steps taken to detect and regulate outsiders, whether any surprise checks had been conducted, and the number of rejected ILP applications.
Lotha expressed concern over the growing economic dominance by non-locals, especially in Dimapur, claiming that over 95% of shops are run by outsiders. He said many bypass ILP checks by entering in the morning and leaving by evening.
Calling for zero exemptions, Lotha said, “Nagaland is not just another state. It is a unique state born out of a historical movement. That uniqueness must be upheld.”