Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) Dimapur Rengma Students’ Union (DRSU) have declared its unwavering support to the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union’s (DNSU) urgent demand for immediate and full implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Dimapur.
In a statement, ASUD president Imnatemsu Pongen and general secretary Imnameren Walling announced that they stood in complete solidarity with the DNSU in its pursuit of this critical measure aimed at safeguarding the identity, culture, and future of the indigenous Naga people in Dimapur.
They said they fully endorsed the DNSU’s key demands, which included the government issuing clear and non-negotiable deadlines for all non-exempt individuals to obtain the required ILPs, and establishing robust and adequately staffed enforcement mechanisms, including stringent checks at all entry points into Dimapur such as railway stations, roadways, and airport.
They strongly recommended active involvement of empowered civil society organisations, including student unions, in the process of monitoring and enforcing ILP regulations to ensure transparency and accountability. They maintained that any attempt to create loopholes or exemptions that could potentially undermine the fundamental purpose of the ILP must be firmly rejected.
Asking the government to ensure that the guidelines and processes for ILP application and verification were publicly transparent and easily accessible, they stressed that these specific and actionable steps were crucial for the government to demonstrate its commitment to effectively implementing the ILP and addressing the genuine concerns of the indigenous Naga community in Dimapur.
The duo declared that the ASUD stood shoulder to shoulder with the brothers and sisters of the DNSU in this crucial fight to protect identity and future, adding that the time for deliberation was over and the government must act now to implement the ILP in Dimapur without further delay.
According to them, Dimapur, being the gateway to Nagaland, was particularly vulnerable. They emphasised that implementation of a robust ILP system was vital to safeguarding land, culture, and the demographic balance of the indigenous Naga community.
They urged the government to listen to the voice of the students and people. Reiterating their unwavering solidarity with the DNSU, and assuring complete cooperation and support in its ongoing efforts to achieve the full implementation of the ILP in Dimapur, they claimed that the collective voice of the Naga student community in Dimapur was united on this critical issue, and they remained steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding the rights and future of indigenous Naga people.
They said they firmly believed that the implementation of ILP in Dimapur was not simply an administrative matter, but a fundamental imperative to protect the distinct cultural heritage, land rights, and demographic integrity of the indigenous Naga people residing in the district.
They pointed out that their stance aligned with the ASUD’s consistent support for DNSU’s efforts on crucial Naga issues in Dimapur, including the recent initiative to collect data on non-local residents to ensure the proper enforcement of ILP regulations.
They cautioned that unchecked influx of non-indigenous people into Dimapur, given its status as the commercial gateway of Nagaland, posed significant threats. They said the economic opportunities available in Dimapur attracted migrants, potentially leading to demographic changes that could marginalise the indigenous Naga community and dilute their unique identity.
Pointing out that the importance of Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India could not be overstated in this context, the ASUD leaders maintained that this article safeguarded the unique rights and autonomy of Naga people, particularly concerning land ownership and cultural practices.
They mentioned that implementing ILP in Dimapur was seen as a crucial step in upholding the spirit and intent of Article 371(A) by providing a necessary mechanism to protect these fundamental indigenous rights and cultural identity.
Reiterating their demand for December 1, 1963, the date Nagaland attained statehood, as a clear cut-off date for identifying non-Naga individuals who would be considered indigenous citizens, they explained that this demand underscored the need for a clear and historically relevant criterion for determining indigenous status in the context of ILP implementation.
They also backed DNSU’s strong condemnation of any opposition to the implementation of ILP in Dimapur, viewing such resistance as potentially detrimental to the vital interests of indigenous Naga community. They said this unified and assertive position among Naga student organisations in Dimapur highlighted the critical importance they place on this issue.
In light of these pressing concerns, they appealed the state government to heed to the repeated and emphatic demands of Naga student community and take immediate and decisive action towards the full and effective implementation of ILP in Dimapur, which necessitated undertaking several key measures without further delay.
An official travel document issued by the government that granted Indian citizens permission to enter protected areas for a limited duration, they said the ILP system had historical roots in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, drafted by the British to protect their commercial interests by restricting the entry of “British subjects” into certain regions.
Following India’s independence, the focus of the ILP evolved to protect the unique cultures and identities of indigenous tribes, particularly in Northeast, by regulating migration and preventing the alienation of tribal lands. Currently, the ILP was mandatory for entry into Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur for Indian citizens who were not permanent residents of these states.
Notably, they pointed out that Dimapur remained the only district in the state that was exempt from the ILP regime, which had led to increasing concerns among indigenous communities.
They mentioned that the DNSU had voiced serious apprehension that the continued delay in implementing ILP in Dimapur could result in a “non-violent genocide” of the ethnic identity and culture of indigenous Naga people. They said this stark warning highlighted the profound sense of vulnerability felt by the community in the face of perceived demographic shifts.
DRSU: In a press release, DRSU president Khiti Kath and general secretary Esther Khing asserted that delaying ILP enforcement would “amount to negligence of the people’s constitutional rights” under Article 371A. The union also said that unchecked influx of non-locals and lax ILP enforcement posed a significant threat to the identity, culture, and future of indigenous Naga communities.
DRSU maintained that safeguarding the unique traditions, customs, and land rights of the Naga people must be the state government’s top priority.
The union affirmed its resolve to protect Naga heritage and rights. “The time for action is now, and we will not be silenced,” DRSU said and demanded that the state government take concrete steps to enforce the ILP, safeguard Naga identity, and uphold the constitutional rights of the Naga people.