NSF hails Nagaland cabinet decision on ILP implementation

Dimapur: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) on Thursday expressed its approval of the Nagaland cabinet's decision to establish an enforcement directorate aimed at stricter implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.

In a release, the ILRC acknowledged past instances where committees were formed and public announcements had been made without significant follow-through.

The ILRC appreciated the govt's candid admission of its past ineffectiveness in enforcing the ILP, compared to neighbouring states like Mizoram. It reiterated the urgency and clarity of the memorandum submitted to the chief secretary on April 10.

"The need to address the contents of the memorandum is imminent and should not be delayed further," the NSF said.

However, the ILRC expressed its opinion that the govt's decision to visit neighbouring states, operating under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, could lead to an unnecessary expenditure of time and resources. It argued that the visit conducted by the Kesonyu Committee in 2017 provided more than sufficient information, highlighting the valuable and practical recommendations made by that committee.

"Had the govt of the day taken them seriously and implemented those points, much progress would have been made," the ILRC said.

The ILRC also pointed out that the Alemtemshi Committee (2007) and the Senti Yanger Committee (2015) had previously submitted elaborate and well-considered recommendations that were "unfortunately shelved immediately upon submission."