ILP regime states may be kept out of Citizenship Bill

New Delhi, November 29

Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime is applicable, are likely to be kept out of the purview of the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill, which is expected to be introduced in the ongoing Parliament session, officials said on Friday.

The information comes amid an initiative taken by Home Minister Amit Shah to hold discussions with CMs of North-Eastern states and indigenous groups, civil society members and political parties of the region to assuage their concerns over the issue. The meetings with the CMs will be held on Saturday, an official said.

Twelve non-BJP MPs have also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exclude the N-E states from the purview of the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill, saying if it comes into effect, the tribal population of the region will be vulnerable to displacement.

“There is all likelihood that three states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram — where the ILP regime is prevalent will be kept out of the purview of the CAB. Discussions are ongoing whether the Sixth Schedule areas in the North-East could also be kept out of the purview of the Act,” said a senior government official engaged in the consultations process.

The ILP regime is under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. In terms of Section 2 of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, the Inner Line Permit system is prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. Citizens of other states require ILP for visiting these three states. The main objective of the ILP system is to prevent settlement of other Indian nationals in the three states in order to protect the indigenous population. — PTI