Ura Mail, Wednesday, November 4, 1981
The students have at last started doing something concrete about their convictions and vision of ‘greater glory’ for Nagaland. Their initiative in checking the Inner-line Permits of all non-locals simultaneously in Kohima, Zunheboto and Mokokchung speaks volumes of the slackness of administrative machineries in this regard. As far back as the early seventies, concerned citizens had proposed a stricter check of unauthorised persons, especially foreign nationals. However, nothing much was done about it. Indeed at times the police on duty at the Chumukedima check post were not at all strict in checking the Inner-line pass. It would, however, be incorrect to lay the entire blame on the police alone. Time and again, it has been observed that government officials carry unauthorised persons in NLG jeeps which, of course, have so far been exempted from stopping and being checked at the police post. Also, the issuing authority at Dimapur sometimes (perhaps by mistake) issue passes to mala fide persons who, once they reach Kohima or Mokokchung, somehow manage to reside there unnoticed. No wonder then, it has all resulted in the students taking over the initiative which, nevertheless, will be in vain unless the administration and the police also cooperate by taking the lead henceforth.
The aim of this Inner-line Permit system was first conceived about 100 years ago to protect Nagas from being over-run by more advanced as well as energetic communities. Its aim was also to ensure preservation of the Naga way of life. While we must move along and adapt to the times, the Inner-line, regulation must continue to be enforced so that Nagas are not overwhelmed in practically every sphere: It must be enforced in a manner whereby bona fide citizens are not victimised.
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As such it is in the interest of the state as well as the country to ensure that the regulation is enforced. If too many non-locals are allowed into the interior, whatever remains of our culture is sure to face extinction. This will in turn generate motives of extremist elements and the flames of an insurgency of a scale hitherto unknown could be fanned thoroughly. We have seen only too well how the foreign nationals issue has resulted in Assam. Surely, nobody wants a repetition of that kind in Nagaland.
Therefore, it is up to the issuing authority at Dimapur as well as at other places concerned to be ever more vigilant and also discourage corrupt elements in their premises. This past week, scores of non- locals, including not a few foreign nationals, have been crowding the ADC’s court to get passes. And there have been several agents who charge a minimum of Rs.30 supposedly arranging an Inner-line Permit. If the issuing authority was hitherto unaware of this then he must now seek out these corrupt elements and deal with them severely according to the procedure established by law. The same suggestion applies to the police and all bona fide citizens if they want Nagaland to remain an island of peace.
Nagaland Tribune is publishing a curated list of articles and editorials of Chalie Kevichüsa. A tribute to the writer that he was, we hope that readers will get a glimpse of his works, reflect on its depth and hopefully keep his legacy alive
Read more: Remembering Naga Journalist Chalie Kevichüsa
