Inner Line Permit controversy

 CA 02/09/15 

Inner Line Permit controversy

1. GS 1: Regionalism
2. GS 1: Post Independence Consolidation
3. This issue is closely liked to the formation of states in North-East and cultural aspects of the region.

• Manipur assembly passed ‘Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill’ and two other bills with an aim to protect “Indegenous People”.
• Under the laws, it will require outsiders to obtain a special pass or permit to enter the State.
• The system is in force in the neighbouring States of Nagaland and Mizoram and also in Arunachal Pradesh.

What is the Inner Line Permit controversy in Manipur?

• ILP is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to grant inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.
• It can be issued for travel purposes solely.
• Visitors are not allowed to purchase property in these regions.

States where ILP is in operation

• Currently, the Inner Line Permit is operational in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.

Excessive influx of tourists

• Prior to Manipur's merger with India, Manipur had become a state and nearly had the ILP system. However, the rule was lifted in 1951 and allowed unregulated entry of outsiders into the region.
• According to the 2011 census, the population of Manipur is a little over 27 lakh. Of this, 10 lakh (one million) are outsiders.

Fears and worries of the Manipuris

• Influx of foreign tourists has increased exponentially, thus creating a demographic imbalance in the region.
• Illegal immigration from Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar has also contributed to the crisis.
• This has created fear among the locals over employment and availability of resources.

Recent violence and Interconnected issues

• Meiteis, who are not tribal, have been demanding Scheduled Tribe status, emphasising their “indigenousness”, in addition to the Inner Line Permit system.
• The idea seem to be to convert Manipur into a tribal state (like Nagaland or Mizoram).
• This will level the constitutional division between the tribals and Meiteis in terms of land rights and other reservation benefits.

Recipe for more strife

• Tribal people in the hills see the demand for the ILP regime as a Meitei plot to snatch their lands and livelihood.
• Most of the hills people do not have official papers to prove their identity and ownership of their land. So the tribals are suspicious above the recent laws which would deprive them of reservation benifits.
• Illegal immigrants from Manipur and Bangladesh are adding fuel to fire.

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