In a robust enforcement operation, the Arunachal Pradesh police have externed over 200 individuals from the Itanagar Capital Region for failing to produce valid Inner Line Permits (ILPs), a mandatory travel document required to enter and reside in the state. The move is part of a broader campaign to ensure strict adherence to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which governs the protected status of Arunachal Pradesh. The crackdown was carried out by teams from the Naharlagun Police Station, covering multiple hotspots including Papu Hills, Naharlagun, Nirjuli, and Banderdewa. Superintendent of Police Mihin Gambo confirmed that a total of 219 persons were found without valid ILPs during the operation. All were detained, verified, and processed under non-FIR procedures before being handed over to the executive magistrate and formally externed from the capital region. “These individuals were not in possession of any valid ILP documents. After due process, they were removed from the region in accordance with established legal protocols,” SP Gambo said.
The SP expressed concern over the increasing trend of ILP violations in the region, particularly in markets, construction zones, and other commercial areas where non-locals often find informal employment. He urged employers, landlords, and local businesses to avoid hiring or accommodating individuals without proper documentation. Gambo further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspected violations to their nearest police station. “This is not just a law enforcement issue, but a matter of safeguarding the cultural and legal integrity of Arunachal Pradesh,” he said. ILPs are official travel permits issued to Indian citizens who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh. The document is designed to regulate movement within the state and protect indigenous communities from unchecked migration. The permit is time-bound and strictly enforced under state and central regulations.
Police officials have assured that regular enforcement drives will continue across the Itanagar Capital Region and surrounding districts in the coming days. Authorities have made it clear that all non-Arunachali residents must carry valid ILP documents at all times and cooperate fully with law enforcement teams. Meanwhile, the ripple effects of the drive are being felt in the local economy, particularly in informal sectors. Business owners in Itanagar and nearby commercial hubs, including vendors at the Guwahati Market and Siliguri Market, are reporting concerns about labor shortages due to the tightening of ILP checks. Many say they support the regulation but have called for smoother processing of permits to ensure legitimate workers can continue their livelihoods.
