Seminar in Dimapur Discusses Future of BEFR and ILP in Northeast

Nagaland Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha has called for a balanced implementation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873 and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to protect indigenous interests while ensuring that tourism, investment, business and development are not hindered. Speaking at a two-day national seminar on BEFR organised by the Naga Students’ Federation in Dimapur, Sinha said ILP should function as a regulatory mechanism requiring visitors to complete formalities rather than as a barrier to entry into Nagaland. He warned that excessive restrictions and cumbersome procedures could discourage visitors and negatively affect economic activity. Sinha noted that BEFR, introduced more than 150 years ago during the British era, continues to provide safeguards for indigenous and minority communities against demographic pressures. He also highlighted the evolution of the ILP system in Nagaland, including its extension to Dimapur areas in 2019 and subsequent clarifications following the creation of Chümoukedima and Niuland districts. The government has modernised ILP enforcement by moving the application process online in 2025, while retaining manual procedures for those unable to use digital services. Sinha stressed the importance of cooperation among civil society groups, indigenous communities, student organisations, hotels, landlords and law-enforcement agencies to ensure effective implementation. Speakers at the seminar, including Naga Students’ Federation leaders and AASU-NESO adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya, also emphasised that ILP should protect indigenous land, culture, resources and future generations without making visitors feel unwelcome. The two-day seminar brought together academics, legal experts, administrators and student leaders to discuss the historical, constitutional and contemporary significance of BEFR and ILP and ways to strengthen their implementation across the Northeast.