Kohima, Nagaland: In a significant move to bolster Nagaland’s unique indigenous identity and security framework, the Inner Line Regulation Commission of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has released a robust advisory targeting all interstate and inter-district taxi owners, drivers, and operators. The directive underscores the imperative of stringent adherence to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873, which underpins the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system for non-indigenous individuals seeking entry into the state.
The NSF elucidated that ensuring compliance with the ILP is not merely a bureaucratic formality but a fundamental constitutional and cultural imperative designed to safeguard Nagaland’s demographic fabric, ecological integrity, and rich tribal heritage.
Under the fresh advisory, all transport operators are now mandated to meticulously verify the ILP status of every passenger prior to boarding. Should a passenger fail to present a valid ILP issued by the Government of Nagaland, operators are instructed to politely refuse service. Furthermore, the advisory stipulates that non-indigenous drivers must themselves possess a valid ILP, alongside the vehicle’s All India Taxi Permit. Both digital and physical records are to be maintained and kept readily accessible for immediate verification by enforcement agencies.
The NSF issued a stern caution, stating that transporting individuals without legitimate ILP documentation would be construed as illegal transportation, inviting punitive measures under Section 6 of the BEFR (1873). Such penalties could encompass substantial fines, impoundment of vehicles, and the cancellation of taxi permits, in addition to potential legal actions for compromising state-level security protocols.
Reaffirming the pivotal role of the ILP system, the NSF characterised it as a legal bulwark protecting the state’s indigenous identity, ecological equilibrium, and law-and-order mechanisms. The organisation voiced its optimism regarding the cooperation of the transport community and pledged ongoing monitoring and awareness campaigns to bolster compliance.
“Compliance is not an option; it is a shared responsibility towards the preservation of our land and people,” the NSF asserted, encapsulating the gravity of the directive.
Read More: Four Lives Lost in Chilling Manipur Ambush, Manhunt Underway