Dimapur: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) urged the Nagaland government to take urgent measures for strict implementation of inner line permit (ILP) in the state, especially in Dimapur district.
Drawing attention of the government towards the challenges and lapses in the diligent execution of the ILP over the past six decades, NSF president Medovi Rhi and general secretary Chumben Khuvung, in a letter to the chief secretary, said: “These oversights have allowed illicit activities to flourish, posing a significant threat to our indigenous population and our unique identity and culture.”
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The federation demanded immediate establishment of ILP cells at Dimapur railway station and Dimapur airport, saying these are the primary entry points to Nagaland and must be equipped to streamline the inflow of individuals and prevent illegal immigrants from gaining access to the state.
It also called for establishment of ILP monitoring cells at all entry and exit points in the state.
Demanding stringent implementation of ILP system in all district headquarters, the NSF proposed enhancement of legal process/action against the ILP defaulters.
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Stating that it, along with its federating units, has been actively involved in the verification of ILP holders in various districts for several years, the NSF said the inadequate enforcement of the ILP in the state led to the alarming growth of illegal immigrants, which now stands as the most substantial demographic threat to our indigenous population.
It pointed out that non-implementation of the ILP regime and lack of stringent enforcement of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BERF) 1873 in Dimapur district have created a fertile ground for illegal immigrants.
It added that a substantial population with questionable identities in Dimapur cannot be denied as they lack proper identification documents.
Stating that the consequences of allowing Dimapur to be overrun by individuals with questionable identities will be dire, the NSF said this situation poses a severe threat not only to Dimapur but also to the rest of Nagaland and the Northeast.
“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,” it said.