The Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) has lauded the District Administration for finally taking decisive action by strictly implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Dimapur, Niuland & Chumoukedima over the past fortnight stating this long-overdue step is a welcome assertion of law and order. It also extended its support to the administration’s efforts.

However, the DAYO said that only magistrates are legally empowered to impose fines, therefore, no unauthorized individual or group should take advantage of the current transitional period.

“The ILP situation remains fluid, with sensitive implications and necessary rectifications under review and any exploitation during this time must be condemned and legally addressed, “ it said in a statement.

The Organization said Nagaland state was created through a political agreement and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) Act of 1873 authorizes the ILP exists to safeguard the indigenous people’s identity, culture, land, and future.

Stating that Dimapur has always fallen under the administrative jurisdiction of Nagaland since statehood, the DAYO said Dimapur remains unquestionably subject to the BEFR Act and there can be no rollback of ILP implementation in Dimapur – this is non-negotiable.

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It also recalled that the establishment of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) by the Government of Nagaland on June 29, 2019 preceded December 9 notification extending ILP to the entire Dimapur district.

“After five years, it is clear that ILP exemptions specifically for indigenous inhabitants and for landowners based on the cut-off year of 1st December 1963 have been accounted for. The process is now complete and irreversible,” it added.

The DAYO called upon the people of Nagaland to remain vigilant of “our birthright” under ILP as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam have rendered 20 lakhs individuals stateless.

Stating that Nagaland’s porous borders are vulnerable, the DAYO demanded all tribal apex bodies of Nagaland to rise to the occasion and urgently verify and object to the double entry of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) in both Assam and Nagaland.

“This must be done on a war footing,” it said.

Calling upon the youth of Nagaland to seize this critical moment, it said the ILP enforcement is not just a legal mechanism, it is a call to action.

DAYO also urged all citizens of Dimapur to channel any ILP related grievances through legally competent authorities.