Dimapur: Nagaland Police has clarified that its personnel are not authorized to impose fines for violations related to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state.
According to a statement issued by the department today, only Magistrates are legally empowered to levy penalties on individuals found without valid ILP documents.
The clarification comes amid the ongoing implementation of the ILP checking mechanism across the state, including the districts of Dimapur, Chümoükedima, and Niuland, where the ILP system was recently extended. The police have stated that ILP checks will be conducted “from time to time,” but under no circumstance are police personnel permitted to collect fines.
“If any police personnel [are] found indulging in such practices, the same may be reported to senior officers,” the statement said, stressing the importance of maintaining transparency and adhering to legal boundaries while enforcing ILP norms.
In a decision last month, the Government of Nagaland announced the statewide implementation of the ILP system, making it mandatory even in previously exempted districts. Furthermore, from January 1, 2025, the ILP application and issuance process has been made entirely online, with the offline mode discontinued.
Applicants can apply for ILPs via the official portal: https://ilp.nagaland.gov.in. For assistance, individuals may contact the helpline numbers: 7085065056 or 03862-225519.
The Inner Line Permit is a regulatory mechanism enforced under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, aimed at monitoring the entry and stay of non-indigenous persons in certain northeastern states.
Authorities have urged the public to stay informed about their rights and responsibilities under the ILP system and to report any instance of unauthorized penal action by police personnel.
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