Nagaland seminar debates Inner Line Permit and indigenous protections

A two-day national seminar held in Dimapur on August 28 and 29 focused on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Nagaland. Organized by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the event served as a policy consultation to discuss balancing indigenous protections with economic activity and constitutional rights.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated that the ILP system is necessary to protect the state’s indigenous interests, though he emphasized the need to allow legitimate businesses and workers to operate. Conversely, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan raised questions regarding whether movement restrictions on citizens are consistent with constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement and profession.

The NSF submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister requesting the establishment of an autonomous Nagaland Inner Line Regulation Commission through legislation. The federation argued that the current administration of the system is fragmented across multiple departments, including the Home Department, police, and local authorities, and lacks a consolidated register.