Dimapur: The Nagaland cabinet on Wednesday decided to implement the inner line permit (ILP) in the three districts of Dimapur, Niuland and Chumoukedima following demands from various quarters.
The demands came in from various organisations including the Naga Students Federation (NSF), to restrict the influx of illegal immigrants into the state amid a political crisis in Bangladesh.
The Nagaland government extended the ILP regime to the erstwhile Dimapur district on December 9, 2019, but later suspended it on June 2, 2023.
Niuland and Chumoukedima districts were part of the erstwhile Dimapur district which was not under the ILP system.
Also Read: Assam: Police launch probe into minor’s sexual assault case
Briefing media persons after the cabinet meeting in Kohima, government spokespersons and minister Temjen Imna Along said the introduction of ILP in these regions is crucial for better regulation of migrants and addressing long-standing concerns about preserving “our cultural heritage and demographic balance”.
He said in the Dimapur district, the non-Naga residents will be divided into three categories to streamline the issuance of documentation, adding those falling under Category I and Category II will not require ILP.
Category I relates to those individuals who were settled in Dimapur prior to the December 1, 1963, formation of Nagaland, he said that the department would work towards providing these individuals with smart card facilities with the option to avail permanent residence certificates and domicile certificates.
Also Read: Assam investment scam: Sumi Borah to surrender today, claims innocence amidst investigation
Category II relates to those individuals who were settled in Dimapur between December 1, 1963 and November 21, 1979, and these individuals will be provided permanent residence certificates with the option to avail domicile certificates, he said.
Category III relates to those individuals who were settled in Dimapur on and beyond November 22, 1979, he said.
“This move will ensure clarity and provide documentation such as smart cards, permanent residence certificates, and domicile certificates, to those eligible,” he added.
Along said students, teachers, technical personnel, and business partners investing in the state will be able to apply for ILPs with a longer validity of up to five years, easing administrative burdens while promoting regional growth.
Saying that the government will strengthen the digital system for issuance of ILP, he said the move would help those people who require the permit as they will not have to go to offices and come through middle-man.