The NSF submitted representation to the State Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, signed by NSF President Imchatoba Imchen and General Secretary Hetoi Chishi stated that Inner Line Permit (ILP) inspite of the ILP Regulation Act (Section III of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873) in operation in the Naga Hill district(Present Nagaland state) since 1873, it is observed that in every part of the state there are non-Nagas (Non-locals & foreigners) engaged in various trades, Government employment etc.

“The great exposure through heavy influx of outsiders into our land has greatly affected the socio-economic, moral, political and cultural life of our people, challenging the very existence and identity of the Nagas” it pointed out, adding that, when the I.L.P. Regulation was introduced, the situation we find today could not have been foreseen. However, it was introduced to safeguard the identity and the very existence of the indigenous people from exploitation by the outsiders/plains people.

Stating that it has come to a sense that some organization in the North East has moved against BEFR Act of 1873 towards Mizoram State for scraping of the Act, the representation said the NSF, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and Mizo Zirlai Paw (MZP) has unanimously resolved to fight against any move of scraping the Act.

“The student community of the North East people will not be a mere spectator to it but in the larger interest of the younger generation for just and reasonable cause, the student community will not leave any stone unturned” it strongly stated .

The NSF also said it is fully confident that the Government of India will consider the genuine demand of the younger generation by maintaining  towards the Act the entry of outsiders into our State.

Meanwhile NSF officials warned that there could be more extreme agitation in the days to come, if the government of India, moves ahead to scrap the BEFR Act.

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) have resolved to fight the move to remove the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, by any organization, terming any such move as tantamount to non-violent genocide of the ethnic and indigenous people.

In a joint statement, NSF president, Imchatoba Imchen and MZP vice president, S Lalrinawma, pointed out that the people of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have all along been protected from assimilation from outsiders by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Had it not been for this, the influx of outsiders, coupled with the entry of foreigners from neighbouring countries, owing to our porous borders, would have reduced the Nagas, the Arunachalise and the Mizos to a minority in their own lands, it said.

The statement, rather, wanted the Government of India to extend the BEFR 1873 to all the eight states of the North East region, saying that the people of the North East states need to be protected by the said regulation. The NSF and MZP said follow up action would be determined progressively depending upon the situation.

Recently Mizoram Law Minister H Rammawi said all the three states Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh should join hands and fight together to uphold the safeguard of North-East under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873.

Speaking to the media, Mizoram Law minister said that there is no other provision, except the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation to safeguard the indigenous tribal population.

He said that this is a very serious issue and that it is a matter of life or death for the new generation of the indigenous tribal population of Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and pointed out that the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshi migrants is a great threat to the tribal people. The law minister said that the people of Mizoram were ready to face any consequences and any eventuality to save the future generations.

He said that ILP system was not against tourist attraction, but there should a procedure to visit a place or country, adding “ILP was a formality”.

A 15 member delegation led by Law minister of Mizoram H Rammawi, including political parties, NGOs, churches and student bodies visited Kohima recently. The team met the state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen and NSF. “We had a good discussion with the Nagaland Chief Minister and other government officials and civil societies from the state”, the law minister disclosed.

Xavier Rutsa