Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while reminding the procedure of indigenous inhabitant registration in Nagaland said the Village Chairman has the authority to determine the native inhabitant subject to verification by the district administration, however, the misuse of the authority is liable to punishment.

He stated this while responding to the supplementary question raised by NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu.

Mincing no words, Rio stressed that no student body or organisation is authorised to issue ILP certificate stating that it is the duty of the administration and the police to check on such unauthorized activities. He also cautioned the concern officers not to be complacent and that if such activities are happening it only reflects the bad opinion of the officers.

Rio said with Dimapur being a transit point, ILP has not been fully enforced. However, he said, in today’s context ILP has to be enforced not just in Dimapur but in the two newly created districts – Nuiland and Chumukedima.

With regard to the Registration of Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said it is in the continuous process although all the relevant orders are not out.

He stressed on streamlining of the registration procedure and cautioned against the harassment of Indian citizens working in Nagaland.

During the supplementary question on Inner Line Permit (ILP), the NPF Legislature Party leader, Kuzholuzo Nienu, shared his concerns of the increasing number of Bangladeshi immigrants in the state.

He stated the issue of illegal immigrants Bangladeshi is a matter to be taken seriously and pointed out that Dimapur, the metropolitan district, is becoming a breeding ground for illegal Bangladeshi and a threat to the Nagas.

“They are a growing threat to us Nagas. It’s [going to] cost our upcoming generation very dearly. Illegal immigrants with or without ILP is also an alarming threat, non-locals possessing land properties are also one. If we don’t tackle this issue with seriousness and with an iron hand, Nagaland will become the second Tripura,” stated Nienu.

The party leader, sharing his concern of Bangladeshi immigrants buying lands in their local spouse’s names and taking over the businesses, stated, “Modi’s government in the central has asked the state government to take prompt steps to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants staying in India and to deport them.”

On the question of ILP registration and renewal, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton replied that the total number of ILP Registration (Fresh) issued in all the authorised offices w.e.f 1 January 2022 till date was 11,718.

Out of this total number, 6,173 are tourist ILPs (both domestic and foreign) issued by the Commissioner’s Office Kohima.

The total number of ILP renewals w.e.f 1 January 2022 till 16 September 2022 was 15,851.

Patton added that the Commissioner Nagaland, deputy commissioners, ADCs and the Nagaland Houses at New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong are authorised to issue offline/online ILP for the various categories.