Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu Leads Efforts to Tighten ILP Rules in The State

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday took a tough step to strengthen the existing Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, under which it has been made mandatory for any non-Arunachalese to obtain a permit before entering the state. The Chief Minister held a joint meeting with top government officials and All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) leaders in Itanagar. During this, CM Khandu stressed the need to strengthen the ILP system to prevent illegal entry and long-term stay of non-local migrants in the state.

He said, "Our main objective is to protect our indigenous tribes from external infiltration and we are committed to it." Khandu said that the state government is preparing to strengthen the ILP system internally. He said that it is necessary to take inputs from the state's leading student organization. Through a PowerPoint presentation chaired by AAPPSU president Dozi Tana Tara, the survey conducted by the union and the ways and means to strengthen the current system were explained in detail.

The Arunachal Pradesh Police identified 155 people violating ILP rules in the state capital region during a recent campaign. These people were caught from Ganga village, Chimpu and Ganga Bazar area of the capital region. The state government urged people to cooperate with the police to identify illegal immigrants and requested them to report any outsider or immigrant to the police.

The ILP is an official travel document under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which allows an Indian citizen to visit the state where the system has been implemented for a limited period and with a specific purpose. The ILP was applicable in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. There are also movements to implement ILP in Meghalaya.