Kohima, October 18: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Friday has urged the Nagaland Government to strengthen the enforcement of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime and ensure its effective and transparent implementation across the state. The appeal was made during a sensitization programme on Inner Line Regulation (ILR) held at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, as part of the federation’s ongoing awareness tour of educational institutions.

Addressing the students, the NSF called upon all Naga citizens to join hands in ensuring the meaningful enforcement of the ILP system, which regulates the entry of non-locals into the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

The federation proposed the creation of a centralised ILP database system to record all permits issued to outsiders entering Nagaland, emphasizing that such a system would enhance consistency, accessibility, and security. It said this measure would prevent misuse of permits and help authorities monitor the movement of non-residents more efficiently.

Highlighting challenges along Nagaland’s porous borders with Assam, the NSF urged the government to set up new ILP check points wherever required and strengthen existing ones. It specifically recommended establishing ILP issuing offices and check points at Dimapur Railway Station and Dimapur Airport to ensure stricter entry monitoring.

The federation also demanded the formation of a dedicated ILP enforcement wing and the sensitization of enforcement personnel for fair and judicious implementation. It called for the government to conduct regular sensitization programmes to plug loopholes in ILP administration, ensure transparency in fee collection, facilitate ease in issuance, and strictly scrutinize the purpose of entry sought by applicants.

Furthermore, the NSF sought the constitution of an autonomous Inner Line Regulation Commission, on par with other state commissions, to oversee all matters related to the enforcement of ILP provisions.