Just recently it was reported that a member of the anti-illegal immigrant group, Survival Nagaland, was assaulted by some locals in an area of Longtho in Mokokchung district. As per reports, the victim was stopped at Tsütapela police check gate by some local citizens and taken to an unknown area with his eyes blindfolded and his hands tied behind, and was assaulted verbally and physically. It has been alleged that the victim was assaulted for reporting ILP defaulters to the district administration.
This incident has once again brought the issue of Inner Line Permit to the forefront (if indeed it ever retreated to the backseat). It has been written earlier in this column that the Inner Line was first implemented by the British through the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation in 1873 with the primary objective of protecting their interest in the region, by not allowing persons from the rest of India to enter these areas without permission.
But during the creation of the state of Nagaland, the ILP was given a new purpose: to protect the customs and traditions of the tribal people even as the economic and trade aspects of the ILP – the very reason why the British introduced it was completely overlooked. Restriction of citizens’ entry into some certain areas might have helped protect the tribal customs and traditions but, conversely, it has also adversely affected trade and commerce.
That being said, there should however be no confusion as to where we should stand. While the relaxation of ILP regulations in commercial pockets will undoubtedly help our trade and commerce to grow, we must also be conscious of its dangers if the same is allowed in our hilly areas. Especially in border areas, like the one at Tsutapela check gate. Because, according to reports the assault was allegedly a retaliation of the local people who are patronizing the non Nagas at their behest violating the laid down rules of ILP Act.
Reportedly, the victim was also made to sign an agreement that would require him to pay Rs 19,20,000 as compensation if the fled ILP defaulters failed to return to their work place sooner than expected. This appears to be the crux of the issue here. Upwards Tsutapela gate is a large valley, nourished by a river called Tzurang. Besides large-scale farming activities, the area is also home to many saw mills, brick kilns and logging and mining activities. All these activities need labourers, and hence the influx of workers from neighbouring Assam.
In the first place, we should be questioning how those found flouting ILP regulations were allowed entry past the police check gate at Tsutapela. With stricter enforcing of the rule at the gates, such incidents –as can be deduced here – can be avoided. Then comes the matter of “local citizens” who, in lieu of cheap labour, appears to be more than willing to protect those who are illegal residents/visitors/workers by any means necessary.
With or without ILP, illegal immigrants have always found illegal ways to stay in Nagaland. We cannot make it any worse than by facilitating their illegal entries, and their illegal stays.
