DIMAPUR — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed concern over the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Nagaland, claiming that the increasing number of illegal immigrants in the state, particularly in Dimapur, is posing a threat to the indigenous population.
In a letter to the chief secretary of Nagaland, the student body urged the authorities to take urgent measures for enforcement of ILP in Dimapur district and beyond, saying that the travel document has been instrumental in regulating the flow of tourists and preventing the influx of illegal immigrants in the state.
However, it lamented the existence of challenges and lapses while executing the ILP exercise over the past six decades, which allowed “illicit activities to flourish, posing a significant threat to our indigenous population and our unique identity and culture”. It went on to say that ILP verification drive it had conducted over the years exposed inefficiency in its implementation.
The student body also said that the implementation of the ILP regime, particularly in Dimapur, coupled with the lack of stringent enforcement of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act, 1873 has created a fertile ground for illegal immigrants.
“The presence of a substantial population with questionable identities in Dimapur is undeniable, as they lack proper identification documents,” the letter read.
In this context, it requested the chief secretary to immediately establish ILP cells at Dimapur Railway Station and Dimapur Airport. These, it said, are the primary entry points to Nagaland and must be equipped to streamline the inflow of individuals and prevent illegal immigrants from gaining access to the state.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]It also recommended the establishment of ILP monitoring cells at all entry and exit points to ensure a foolproof mechanism.
The student body urged the government to enforce the ILP system “comprehensively and without delay” in all district headquarters, asserting that it must exhibit the necessary political will to fulfill this commitment.
It also proposed enhancement of the legal process and action against ILP defaulters, saying that stringent penalty will act as a deterrent for potential offenders.
Asserting that the consequences of allowing Dimapur to be overrun by individuals with questionable identities are dire, the NSF said that such a situation “poses a severe threat not only to Dimapur but also to the rest of Nagaland and the North Eastern hills”.
“The very survival of our identity and culture is at stake, which could ultimately lead to societal destruction. Given Nagaland's limited size (territory) and population, we are ill-equipped to handle such a formidable threat, potentially turning our own people into refugees in our homeland,” it cautioned.
Further, the student body informed that its federating units have been directed to actively monitor and verify any matter related to ILP implementation. The federation is committed to carrying out checking and verifications at any time, and in the event of defaulters being detected, immediate action will be taken, it said, adding that it would collaborate with the government to ensure successful implementation of the ILP regime.