Nagalands New ilp System faces backlash over Steep Fees and Strict Norms
Why in News?
- Nagaland’s revised Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime—effective September 20, 2024 and notified again on May 27, 2025—has sparked widespread discontent among locals, tourists, traders, and labourers. The hike in fees, strict documentation requirements, and mandatory local guarantors have made access difficult and costly.
Important Key Points:
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Dramatic Fee Increase:
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Domestic tourists now pay ₹200 for a 30-day permit (up from ₹50–100 previously); foreign tourists ₹300.
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Traders, labourers, priests, teachers, consultants, and business partners face fees ranging from ₹150 to ₹5,000 depending on category and validity.
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Stringent Documentation & Guarantor Norms:
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Applicants must produce Aadhaar, educational/business certificates, and in some cases, a local guarantor (₹500/year extra).
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Residents of Assam’s Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, and Karbi Anglong districts must also submit NRC documents.
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Digital-Only System:
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Offline ILP applications were discontinued as of December 31, 2024, forcing all applicants to use the online portal.
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Broader Pushback:
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Local communities, including migrant labourers, students, and tourists, argue the new regime is exclusionary and limits access for low-income individuals.
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Fears have emerged of harassment and enforcement overreach by authorities.
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Government Response and Enforcement:
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The Nagaland cabinet has endorsed digitised ILP tracking and tighter enforcement to address demographic shifts and protect indigenous rights.
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Student bodies and the Nagaland Students’ Federation (NSF) are pushing for robust implementation while demanding public sensitisation to avoid rights violations.
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