Kohima: The Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) has expressed strong opposition to the state government’s recent decision on categorising the Inner Line Permit (ILP), voicing concerns about the protection of Nagaland’s indigenous communities. In a statement released by the federation, the NLSF urged the government to reconsider the second cut-off year for ILP implementation, currently set at 1979, in addition to the first cut-off year of 1963.
The ILP, introduced under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 during British colonial rule, was originally intended to safeguard both British commercial interests and the culture and identity of indigenous tribes. The NLSF noted that the BEFR specifically uses the term “pass,” not “permit,” though they clarified they are not advocating for a change in terminology.
The federation strongly opposes the state government’s decision to grant special privileges to individuals who settled in Nagaland between 1963 and 1979.
“The second cut-off year of 1979 baffles the logic,” the statement reads, arguing that Dimapur, which was not declared a tribal area until 1979, has always been an integral part of Nagaland. The NLSF believes that the state government should have taken earlier protective measures to prevent the influx of non-indigenous populations into the region.
The NLSF’s concerns are largely driven by fears of demographic changes and the economic influence of non-indigenous populations. The federation cited Tripura as an example, where indigenous people have become a minority due to migration from neighboring states and countries.
“The indigenous citizens of Nagaland, being tribals with a smaller population compared to neighboring states, face a high chance of being overrun if proper mechanisms are not implemented,” the statement continued. The federation emphasized the importance of protecting the interests of Nagaland’s people, warning of the long-term consequences of unchecked migration.
The NLSF also raised alarms over the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants (IBIs) and their role in sustaining local economies through weekly markets in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, and other districts. According to the federation, many of these weekly bazaars are controlled by IBIs, posing a long-term threat to the state’s economy and the livelihoods of indigenous Nagas.
“Strictly from an economic point of view, many people may speak against our view, but looking beyond the horizon, we see great catastrophe if the weekly bazaars are not checked properly,” the NLSF stated. They urged the government to enforce stricter regulations on these markets to safeguard economic opportunities for indigenous Nagas.
The federation further requested that the government issue ILPs only under specific circumstances, such as for tourism, business ventures that contribute to Nagaland’s economy, and skilled laborers like masons, with a strict time limit for each permit issued.
The NLSF stressed that ILPs should not be issued randomly, without thorough consideration of their potential long-term impact on the state.
The NLSF called on the Nagaland government to reconsider the second cut-off year for ILP and ensure the protection of the state’s resources, culture, and identity for future generations.
They warned that without these safeguards, the indigenous population of Nagaland could face significant demographic and economic challenges in the future.
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