Naga Students’ Federation Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) has welcomed the outcome of Cabinet meeting held on May 14, 2025 with regard to setting up of an enforcement directorate for stricter implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.
In a press note, ILRC lauded the government for “admitting its failure” to enforce the ILP as effectively as neighbouring states, particularly Mizoram. The commission reiterated that the memorandum submitted to the chief secretary on April 10, 2025 was clear and urgent, adding that the need to address the contents of the memorandum was imminent and should not be delayed further.
Further, ILRC said the decision to visit neighbouring states under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 could result in unnecessary expenditure of time and resources. It said that the visit conducted by the Kesonyu Committee in 2017 was more than sufficient.
Stating that the recommendations provided by the committee were highly valuable and practical, ILRC said much progress would have been made had the government taken them seriously and implemented those points.
ILRC pointed out that the Alemtemshi Committee (2007) and the Senti Yanger Committee (2015) also submitted elaborate and well-considered recommendations, which it said were “unfortunately shelved immediately upon submission.” It said that anyone reviewing those reports would recognize the seriousness and extensive effort invested by the respective committees.
In this regard, the ILRC questioned whether the government’s seriousness merely confined to words and paper? Despite past precedents of forming committees and making public announcements without substantive follow-through, the commission expressed hope that the outcome of May 14, 2025 cabinet meeting “marks a turning point.” It, therefore, urged the government to demonstrate strong political will and take concrete action toward the enforcement of the provisions of the BEFR, 1873.