The Union Home Minister’s recent emphasis on the value of the Inner-Line Permit (ILP) system in Manipur drew attention during the inauguration of several development initiative in the region. Among these are the Thoubal Multipurpose Project (Thoubal Dam) and the Integrated Command and Control Center at Imphal. These initiatives, and the ILP system in particular, have implications not only for the development of Manipur, but also for the wider political landscape of the region.
The Thoubal Multipurpose Project
First proposed by the Planning Commission in 1980, the Thoubal Multipurpose Project has an original cost projection of Rs. 47.25 crores. Although a scheme for it was launched in 2004, progress did not begin until 2014. The project, located on the Thoubal river – a tributary of the Manipur river, is anticipated to irrigate 35,104 hectares.
The Importance of Inner-Line Permit (ILP)
The implementation of ILP had been a long-standing demand of the people of Manipur, with the avoidance of it being seen as an injustice to the indigenous populace. In December 2019, Manipur and Dimapur district of Nagaland were incorporated under the ILP System. Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub and a diverse population center often dubbed ‘Mini India’, was the only area in Nagaland previously exempt from the ILP.
ILP: A Protective Shield Against Illegal Immigration
In the eyes of northeastern pressure groups, the permit serves as a defense against the influx of illegal immigrants. Due to the ILP, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram were absolved from the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. These provisions concerning citizenship for illegal migrants do not extend to tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution or areas under the ILP system.
ILP and The Meghalaya Assembly
In December 2019, the Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution to implement the ILP regime in the state, urging the central government to include the state within the ILP system.
History and Functioning of Inner Line Permit System
Implemented under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873, ILP is an official document permitting Indian citizens to travel within protected or restricted zones for a designated time period. The Act was established during the British rule to safeguard commercial interests by barring ‘British subjects’ from trading within these regions. By 1950, ‘British subjects’ had been replaced with ‘Citizen of India’. An imaginary ‘inner-line’ was drawn to segregate communities and prevent them from crossing without an appropriate permit.
Extension of ILP to Manipur
Originally, ILP only applied to the three North-Eastern States: Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. However, on 11th December 2020, the President signed an order extending the ILP to Manipur. Now, this state has become the fourth where the ILP regime is applicable.
The Protected Area Permit (PAP)
Different from the ILPs required by domestic tourists, foreigners require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to explore tourist attractions. As per the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958, all areas falling between the ‘Inner Line’ and the International Border have been declared as Protected Areas, with foreign nationals not usually allowed to visit unless extraordinary circumstances are established.
Manipur’s Integration into India
Before India gained independence on 15th August 1947, the rulers of most states signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ to join the Union of India. Manipur’s ruler, Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, did so on the condition that Manipur would retain its internal autonomy. The Maharaja succumbed to public pressure and held elections in June 1948, transforming Manipur into a constitutional monarchy. This made Manipur the first part of India to hold an election based on universal adult franchise. However, without consultation with Manipur’s popularly elected Legislative Assembly, the Government of India forced the Maharaja to sign a Merger Agreement in September 1949. As part of the North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, Manipur became a fully-fledged state alongside Meghalaya and Tripura on 21st January 1972. This act triggered a major change in the political map of Northeast India, granting statehood to Manipur and Tripura, and the Sub-State of Meghalaya.