Context: Recently, the Supreme Court asked the Union and the Manipur governments to respond to a plea challenging the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State.

Key Issue

• Manipur is the fourth State after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where the ILP regime is applicable. Outsiders, including people from other States, need permission to visit them.
• The plea contended that the ILP provides unrestrained power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous people or those who are not permanent residents of Manipur.
• The draconian ILP system is fundamentally opposed to the policies of social integration, development and technological advancement in the area beyond the Inner Line, apart from hampering tourism within the State, which is a major source of revenue generation for these areas,”.
• The plea has also challenged the Manipur Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2019.
• It said the order violates the fundamental rights of the citizens guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21.

Inner Line Permit system

• It is a document that allows an Indian citizen to visit or stay in a state that is protected under the ILP system.
• Aim: To prevent settlement of other Indian nationals in the States where ILP regime is prevalent, in order to protect the indigenous or tribal population.
• The system is in force in Northeastern states- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. It is also mandatory for Lakshadweep.

No Indian citizen can visit any of these states unless he or she belongs to that state, nor can he or she overstay beyond the period specified in the ILP.

• An ILP is issued by the state government concerned.
• It can be obtained after applying either online or physically.
• It states the dates of travel and also specifies the particular areas in the state which the ILP holder can travel to.
• It can be issued for travel purposes solely. Visitors are not allowed to purchase property in these regions.

Background

• Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of outsiders in designated areas.
• This was to protect the Crown’s own commercial interests by preventing British subjects (Indians) from trading within these regions.
• In 1950, the Indian government replaced British subjects with Citizen of India.
• This was to address concerns about protecting the interests of the indigenous people from outsiders belonging to other Indian states.