The Nagaland Government has taken stringent measures to identify and deport illegal immigrants attempting to enter the state through various check gates, in light of the ongoing eviction drive in neighbouring Assam.

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton today said that he is aware of the situation and affirmed that additional forces would be deployed along the Assam-Nagaland border areas and in Niuland, Chümoukedima, and Dimapur districts. He stated that the issue of illegal immigrants has already been discussed with the Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, and that action would be taken accordingly.

Referring to an incident on Tuesday night, Patton informed that all intercepted illegal immigrants were sent back.

200 vehicles carrying evicted people from Assam turned back at Niuland

On Tuesday night, at least 200 vehicles carrying evicted illegal immigrants from Assam tried to enter Niuland district, but were intercepted by the district administration, police, and CRPF at various locations, including the Niuland check gate, and were deported back.

On the official social media handle “X” (formerly Twitter), Deputy Commissioner of Niuland, Sara S. Jamir, wrote: “More than 200 vehicles carrying evicted illegal immigrants from Assam, trying to enter Niuland district, were deported back today from Niuland check post by district administration, police, and CRPF from various locations.”

Team of DBs in the check gate with apprehended vehicles carrying evicted immigrants from Assam (Picture courtesy: X handle of DC Niuland)

In view of the ongoing eviction drive in Assam, the Niuland district administration on Tuesday directed all villages in the district not to panic, but to remain vigilant and alert to the possible influx of illegal immigrants. People have been asked to report any unusual movement or migration.

Meanwhile, sources said that the Dimapur district administration and the Commissionerate of Police have also geared up to tackle the issue of illegal immigrants. Sources informed that strict vigil would be maintained at check gates and railway stations to detect and prevent the entry of suspicious individuals from Assam.

In an order issued today, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Tinojongshi Chang, stated that there is apprehension and risk that some displaced individuals may attempt to cross into Nagaland following the eviction drive against illegal immigrants undertaken by the Assam Government.

In this regard, he directed all villages, wards, and colonies under Dimapur district to remain alert and vigilant against the possible influx of illegal immigrants. He also instructed that any unusual movement or migration must be immediately reported to the district administration and police.

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Deputy Commissioner of Chümoukedima, Polan John, has also heightened alertness and decided to undertake coordinated action to maintain public order and safeguard the demographic integrity of the state.

Accordingly, he directed all Administrative Officers of the sub-divisions of Medziphema, Dhansiripar, and Seithekema, as well as Executive Officers of Chümoukedima and Medziphema Town Councils, to remain constantly vigilant and take requisite measures to prevent any potential influx of illegal immigrants within their respective jurisdictions.

All Village Councils and Town Councils are to be apprised of the prevailing situation and to proactively report any suspicious instances or cases of illegal entry of individuals or groups into the district.

On July 21, the Commissioner of Nagaland raised apprehension and risk that some displaced individuals might attempt to cross into Nagaland. In this connection, he had directed all Deputy Commissioners to heighten vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent any potential influx of illegal immigrants into their respective jurisdictions.

He stated that this proactive approach is crucial for maintaining law and order and safeguarding the demographic integrity of the state.

KSU deploys volunteers at entry points

The Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Mon, has directed all its federating units, especially those in the Tizit and Naginimora areas, including units stationed at Namsa Gate and Naginimora Gate, to deploy 100 volunteers daily at every entry point into Mon district.

The volunteers have been tasked with checking all non-local entrants into the district to ensure they are carrying valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and proper documentation.

The Union stated that anyone found without valid documents must be deported immediately from Mon district.

It also appealed to the district administration to suspend the ILP registration process for at least one month to allow for proper scrutiny and to prevent unchecked influx into the district.