Ahead of NSF’s Sept 19 Deadline, Nagaland Govt Announces ILP in Dimapur Chumoukedima and Niuland

The Government extend ILP validity to a maximum of 2 to 5 years for students, teachers, technical personnel, and business investors who are working and investing in the state.

Triggered by fears of large-scale illegal Bangladeshi migration as well as outsiders from elsewhere in the country, the Nagaland Cabinet today took a historic decision bringing the gateway of the state, Dimapur and its adjoining districts Chumoukedima and Niuland under the purview of Inner Line Permit (ILP).

The decision comes in the wake of a recent viral video of passengers disembarking a train at the Dimapur railway station, Nagaland’s only railhead and the Naga Students Federation’s 14-day deadline to introduce ILP in these districts that would have expired on September 19.

Ahead of today’s Cabinet decision, Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton had held a crucial meeting with representative of 25 civil society organisations of the three districts and top police and civil administration officials to discuss the issue of ILP.

The State Cabinet has said that in Dimapur district, there shall be three categories of residents and no ILP is required for Categories I and II.

Category I: This group includes individuals who settled in Dimapur prior to December 1, 1963. The Department will initiate a Smart Card facility for these residents, offering them the choice to apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) and a Domicile Certificate.

Category II: Residents who settled in Dimapur between December 1, 1963, and November 21, 1979, fall into this category. They are eligible to receive a Permanent Residence Certificate, with an option to apply for a Domicile Certificate.

Category III: This category pertains to individuals who settled in Dimapur on or after November 22, 1979. Residents in this category will be subject to the ILP requirements as stipulated by existing regulations.

Moreover, the Cabinet has decided to enhance the digital system for the issuance of ILP and extend ILP validity to a maximum of 2 to 5 years for students, teachers, technical personnel, and business investors who are working and investing in the state.

On the proposed Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra, the Cabinet highlighted the protection given under Art 371-A to among other things, to protect religious or social practices of the Nagas; and Naga customary law and procedure.

The Cabinet further decided that in the interest of maintenance of public order, no permission be granted for the proposed Yatra.

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