Dimapur, Aug. 18 (EMN): A group of Naga community organisations called the joint committee on prevention of illegal immigrants (JCPI), formed under the aegis of the Nagaland Tribes Council, has asked the government of Nagaland to employ a ‘comprehensive mechanism.’ The mechanism would see to effective implantation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, the Foreigners Act of 1946, and other relevant laws to curb influx of illegal immigrants into the state of Nagaland, the group stated.
In a letter to the chief secretary of the government of Nagaland, the committee urged the state to create a separate cell, or a separate department altogether, in the Home department competent enough to ensure strict enforcement of the BEFR Act of 1873 and the Foreigners Act of 1946 on a day-to-day basis.
The committee suggested that the state’s government should extend the coverage of the BEFR Act to the entire administrative jurisdiction of the state of Nagaland. “Specifically, Dimapur should be placed within the purview of BEFR, 1873/ILP. As long as Dimapur district is kept as an ILP-free zone, it will remain as the feeder district for influx of illegal immigrants into interior areas.
“The state government should strengthen the implementation of ILP as prevailing now and issue operational guidelines immediately. For instance, an ILP holder staying in an ILP zone cannot renew his permit after the expiry of the permit without he/she moving out of the ILP zone first. Again, the ILP should differentiate between tourist, transit passengers, and manual/skilled labourers.
“In any case, issuance/renewal of permit should be strict and time bound. Under no circumstances should permit holders be allowed to take advantage of loopholes and set up businesses in the state. The state governments of Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal are empowered by the Act to issue guidelines on entry of non-indigenous persons into the state. The Mizoram government has two sets of guidelines, temporary ILP and regular ILP. Under temporary ILP, tourists, visitors, labourers and business representatives are issued 15 days visit permit while six months are allotted for regular ILP. However, regular ILP can be issued only when a local sponsor comes forward. Regular ILP cannot be renewed more than two times. This restricts outsiders and illegal immigrants from setting up businesses in Mizoram,” it read.
The committee also urged the government to notify the village councils and urban wards/colonies to assist the state machineries and enforce the BEFR Act particularly along the border and vulnerable areas, and maintain strict vigil in their respective jurisdiction.
“The state authority should issue notifications instructing the village authorities and GBs/licensing authorities such as RTAs and municipal/town committees not to issue residential certificates/permanent resident certificate/driving license/trade license to anyone without establishing the antecedents of such applicants. For instance, license seekers from Assam will have to produce their NRC registration to avail licenses of any kind. The notification should also direct all concerned departments dealing with licensing to review all past issuance of licenses in order to weed out potential infiltrators.
“The JCPI also urges the state government to tie up with neighbour states to formulate cohesive and collective measures for prevention of inter-state influx of illegal immigrants. Finally, the JCPI impresses upon the state government to establish Foreigner Tribunals under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Orders, 1964 and Foreigners Act, 1946, government of India without which the coverage and the legal system for effective enforcement of the laws will always be found wanting.”
The suggestions, the organisation stated, were the outcome of meetings that were held on August 8 and on August 14 in Dimapur.
