Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), through its Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC), has issued a formal reminder to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, urging the state government to provide an update on the action taken regarding a memorandum submitted earlier this year.
The NSF referred to a meeting held on April 4 between the Chief Secretary and an ILRC delegation, during which a detailed ten-point memorandum was submitted. According to the NSF, the document outlines matters of critical importance related to the stringent implementation of the Inner Line Regulation (ILR) in Nagaland.
“The memorandum is explicit and addresses issues of the highest importance concerning the stringent enforcement of the Inner Line Regulation (ILR) in Nagaland,” the Federation stated.
The NSF emphasized that it does not seek confrontation with the government but expressed concern over what it perceives as a lack of urgency in enforcing ILR provisions. “The NSF does not intend to confront the government, as we believe the present dispensation is wise enough to read the ‘writing on the wall’—the consequences of lackadaisical implementation of the ILR in Nagaland,” the Federation stated.
Asserting that strict enforcement of the Inner Line Pass system is essential to the socio-economic security of the Naga people, the NSF reiterated its readiness to endure “any hardship to achieve this security, especially for upcoming generations of Nagas”.
While maintaining its firm commitment to ensuring full implementation of the ILR provisions in Nagaland, the Federation also conveyed its willingness to cooperate fully with the government, if called upon.
The reminder concluded with an appeal to the Chief Secretary to provide an update on the action taken regarding the memorandum “at the earliest convenience.”
Among the core recommendations put forth in the April memorandum are the establishment of a centralised database system for the issuance and monitoring of Inner Line Permits (ILPs), the creation of dedicated ILP enforcement wings in all district headquarters, the setting up of new and improved ILP check gates, and the implementation of sensitisation programmes for field officers to ensure a deeper understanding of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873, which governs the ILR mechanism.
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