Kohima administration conducts Inner Line Permit checking drive; defaulters fined

KOHIMA — The Kohima district administration on Friday conducted checking of Inner Line Permits (ILP) at various locations in Kohima town to detect illegal immigrants and defaulters.

Officials were seen going shop-to-shop and stopping passersby to verify ILP documents of non-locals. During the exercise, it was found that several individuals were without valid ILP documents issued by the state government.

When questioned, it was observed that defaulters cited reasons such as having arrived in the state only recently, pending applications, expired ILPs awaiting renewal, or being unable to apply for a new ILP. In one instance, a local guarantor was called in to clarify the renewal process on behalf of an individual.

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Those found without valid documents were issued challans of approximately INR 500.

An official involved in the exercise explained that those whose permits had expired are required to reapply well in advance—ideally a week before the expiry—to avoid unnecessary technical or portal-related issues.

While fresh ILP applications are processed online, renewals must be done through the respective Deputy Commissioner’s offices.

Challans are issued as a way to compel defaulters to obtain the required permit, the official said, adding that there is no issue with those who possess the document, though many are found without it.

The administration, in collaboration with the state police, has been carrying out regular inspections to ensure ILP compliance.

The Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which has been in force in the Naga Hills (present-day Nagaland) since its enactment, mandates that anyone—Indian or foreigner—who is not an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland must obtain an ILP in the prescribed form and conditions laid down by the state government to enter Nagaland for a limited period.

Applicants under categories such as trader, businessman, labourer, teacher, or priest require a local guarantor to sponsor them and take responsibility for their conduct during their stay in Nagaland. A local guarantor may sponsor up to ten applicants.

It may be noted that Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Yanthungo Patton had earlier informed that Nagaland generated INR 36 lakh in revenue from ILP issuance during the financial year 2024-25.