Kohima, Nagaland, April 10 (HBTV): In a significant development, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has officially announced the formation of the Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC), aimed at streamlining and strengthening the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Nagaland.
The announcement was made by NSF President Medovi Rhi. He said that the decision was rooted in a resolution passed during the 4th Federal Assembly of the organization on December 4, 2024.
With the endorsement of the Federal Assembly, the federation has appointed Senchumo NSN Lotha, former NSF president, as the chairman of the newly formed ILRC for a tenure of three years.
The commission, Rhi said, has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the state’s ILP framework and recommending reforms to ensure its effective enforcement. Rhi expressed confidence that the ILRC would play a pivotal role in reinforcing legal and administrative mechanisms that have existed for more than a century under the Inner Line system.
As part of its mandate, the ILRC submitted its first memorandum to the chief secretary of Nagaland earlier today. Addressing the press, Chairman Senchumo Lotha stated that the NSF had been actively involved in the ILP discourse since the late 1970s and early 1980s. He lamented the government’s “lackadaisical approach” in implementing the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873, under which the ILP is enforced.
“Over time, enforcement loopholes have rendered the regulation ineffective and, in some cases, even counterproductive,” he said.
Lotha emphasized that while the ILP has long been in place in states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, its implementation remains only partially facilitated, unlike Mizoram, which has adopted a more regimental approach.
“Mizoram has successfully enforced the ILP, allowing the state to manage and protect its local economy. Unfortunately, we in Nagaland have not been able to do the same, primarily due to weak enforcement,” he remarked. “This commission seeks to change that.”
He explained that the ILRC’s first memorandum contains a comprehensive set of recommendations focused on reforming and modernizing the ILP system. Central to the proposal is the demand for a centralized ILP database to record and track permits issued for various purposes. The absence of such a system, he said, has led to confusion and mismanagement.
The commission is also calling for the establishment of ILP offices and dedicated check gates at Dimapur, citing it as a crucial point of entry into the state. Additionally, the memorandum urged the government to create a separate ILP enforcement wing, adequately trained and sensitized on the provisions of BEFR.
Lotha noted that police personnel currently manning check gates are often unaware of who is exempt from ILP requirements, resulting in unchecked entry of unauthorized individuals.
Further, the commission has proposed a transparent accounting system for all ILP-related fees and penalties. It recommends the adoption of UPI and digital payment methods to ensure accountability in financial transactions. Lotha emphasized that the overall aim is not only to enforce the ILP strictly but also to make its implementation efficient, transparent, and aligned with current administrative needs.
“The economy of Nagaland must be safeguarded and regulated by its own people,” Lotha said.
“The ILRC is committed to helping the government achieve this through responsible enforcement of existing laws, and we believe this memorandum is a strong first step.”