Itanagar, May 22: Arunachal Pradesh Police have launched a massive crackdown on violations of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, with authorities so far detecting several individuals for breaching the mandatory entry regulations.
The intensified drive follows the recent protest by the Scheduled Tribe Bachao Andolan Committee, after which the state government moved to tighten enforcement of ILP rules across Arunachal Pradesh.
Taking to X on Friday, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung said, “The detection of 118 ILP violators in Lower Dibang Valley reflects the seriousness with which @ArunachalPolice is enforcing its legal safeguards and protecting the rights of our indigenous people.”
“The Inner Line Permit system is not a formality. It is a lawful mechanism that safeguards the identity of our state, and every outsider entering Arunachal Pradesh must respect and strictly comply with ILP regulations. Violations will invite strict action under the law,” Natung stated.
He further added, “At the same time, I want to remind all employers, contractors and agencies to ensure proper verification and documentation of non-local workers before engagement. Respect for our laws is respect for Arunachal Pradesh itself.”
According to local residents, ILP violations have frequently occurred when contractors engaged labourers from outside the state without valid permits or supporting documents for construction work.
“It has been seen that ILP norms are often violated after contractors engage labourers from other states. Many workers enter Arunachal Pradesh without valid ILPs or proper documentation. In several cases, fake documents are allegedly issued to facilitate their entry for work,” a local resident said.
The resident further claimed that many labourers from Assam were recently detected and stopped from entering Arunachal Pradesh due to the absence of valid documents.
The Inner Line Permit, issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, is a mandatory travel document for Indian citizens who are not permanent residents of Arunachal Pradesh and wish to enter the state.
The ILP system is aimed at protecting the demographic balance of the state, safeguarding the land rights of indigenous tribes, and preserving their unique cultural heritage from excessive outside influx.
Earlier, the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, approved measures to make the ILP system more stringent and watertight.
The decision came in the wake of a 36-hour shutdown enforced on Thursday by the Scheduled Tribe Bachao Andolan Committee, which significantly affected normal life across the state.
“The 36-hour shutdown affected normal life in Arunachal Pradesh. After that, the government became more determined to ensure stricter implementation of ILP regulations. ILP is like a weapon for us, safeguarding our rights,” another local resident said.
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