Itanagar, Jan 7: Arunachal Pradesh’s chief minister has ordered district authorities to identify and demolish illegal religious structures in the state capital, amid rising protests by indigenous groups over alleged encroachment by illegal immigrants.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Khandu said he has instructed deputy commissioners to take immediate action against all unauthorised religious structures in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
“I have directed the deputy commissioners to identify and demolish all unauthorised religious structures in the state capital,” the Chief Minister said.
Khandu stressed that Arunachal Pradesh is protected under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, which regulates the entry of non-residents to safeguard the land, cultural identity, and rights of indigenous communities.
He also announced that the state government is rolling out a digitised ILP system to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against illegal entry and stay.
“Earlier, the ILP system could not be properly monitored. We have now migrated to a digital platform. After Cabinet approval, new rules will come into force,” he said.
Addressing concerns over illegal immigration, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening ILP enforcement and border controls, while ensuring that all actions remain within legal and constitutional frameworks.
Over the past few months, several indigenous organisations have alleged that illegal immigrants have been constructing unauthorised religious structures and encroaching on tribal land in the ICR.
These groups have staged multiple protests, urging the government to take immediate steps to dismantle such structures.
