Christian priests and nuns will now need to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Dimapur district in Nagaland, following new government regulations.
Until now, Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub and the state’s only city with an airport, was exempt from the permit system. However, on 4 September, the deputy commissioner’s office announced that ILPs will now be required.
Under the new rules, priests and nuns must pay 1,500 rupees for a permit valid for three years, which can later be renewed for 500 rupees.
The ILP system, a colonial-era regulation introduced by the British in 1873, restricts entry into certain tribal-majority areas of India’s northeast. It was originally intended to protect the land, culture, and identity of indigenous communities. Besides Nagaland, the system also applies in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Sikkim.
The updated order in Nagaland has introduced different categories of permits with varying fees and validity periods. These cover groups such as teachers, workers, transporters, students, domestic helpers, and tourists. While students are exempt from fees, most categories require payment, including priests, teachers, and private sector employees.
A Catholic priest from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh told Matters India that even bishops are required to obtain permits, though the cost there is lower, at 100 rupees for a year.
The Nagaland government says the ILP system is designed to safeguard the heritage and culture of its tribal population.
Adapted from Matters India.
