Oversights have allowed illicit activities to flourish posing a significant threat to Nagas’ indigenous population and its unique identity and culture. NSF along with its federating units has been actively involved in the verification of ILP holders in various districts of Nagaland for several years.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Student’s Federation (NSF) on Friday has written a letter to the Nagaland Chief Secretary on urgent measures for the enforcement of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur district and beyond.
In a joint press statement issued by NSF president, Medovi Rhi, and general secretary, Chumben Khuvung, stated that the issue of ILP which has been instrumental in regulating the “flow” of tourists and preventing the “influx” of illegal immigrants which is also a deep concern in acknowledging the challenges and lapses in the different execution of the ILP over the past six decades.
NSF said that these oversights have allowed illicit activities to flourish posing a significant threat to Nagas’ indigenous population and its unique identity and culture while also adding that the federation along with its federating units has been actively involved in the verification of ILP holders in various districts of Nagaland for several years.
It said that its consistent efforts have revealed the inadequate enforcement of the ILP in the state leading to the alarming growth of illegal immigrants which now stands as the most substantial demographic threat to Nagas indigenous population.
The NSF mentioned that in particular, the implementation of the ILP regime in Dimapur, coupled with the lack of stringent enforcement of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF) 1873 has created a fertile ground for illegal immigrants where the presence of a substantial population with questionable identities in Dimapur is undeniable, as they lack proper identification documents.
The consequences of allowing Dimapur to be overrun by individuals with questionable identities are dire said NSF while adding that this situation posses a severe threat not only to Dimapur but also to the rest of Nagaland and the northeastern hills.
“The very survival of our identity and culture is at stake which could ultimately lead to societal destruction. Given Nagaland’s limited size and population, we are ill-equipped to handle such a formidable threat, potentially turning our own people into refugees in our homeland”, the NSF said.
In the light of the said grievances, the NSF has requested the Nagaland chief secretary for immediate attention and action to be taken on the different matters which included
Establishment of ILP Cell at Dimapur Railway Station and Dimapur Airport which according to the NSF are the primary entry points to Nagaland and must be equipped to streamline the inflow of individuals and previous illegal immigrants from gaining access to the state and additionally recommend the establishment of ILP monitoring cells at all entry and exit points inorder to ensure a “foolproof” mechanism.
Stringent Implementation of ILP System in all district headquarters
The NSF implored the government to enforce the ILP system comprehensively and without delay in all district headquarters and furthermore, it is crucial to ensure the strict enforcement of the mechanism based on its previous propositions and sincere representations. The government must exhibit the necessary political will to fulfill this commitment.
Improvement of legal process/action for ILP defaulters
The NSF proposed an enhancement of the legal process and actions to be taken against ILP defaulter.it is vital to make the consequences for violating the ILP system more stringent, dissuading potential offenders.
Meanwhile, the NSF has informed that its federating units have been directed to actively monitor and verify any matters related to the issue concerned and that the federation is committed to conducting checks and verifications at any time, and in the event that the defaulters are detected, immediate action would be taken.