Kohima: Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan challenged the efficacy of physical barriers during a two-day seminar in Dimapur. The event, held by the Inner Line Regulation Commission-Naga Students Federation, wrapped up on August 29. Bhushan argued that isolationism fails to protect heritage. He suggested that culture thrives through openness rather than restriction.
"If your culture is strong, if your culture is rich, then others will imbibe your culture," Bhushan stated. He balanced Article 29, which protects cultural identity, against Article 19, which guarantees free movement for Indian citizens. He proposed strict limits on land acquisition and local governance decentralization as alternatives to physical borders.
A conflicting view arrived from Dr. Lallianchhunga of Mizoram University. His research framed the Inner Line Permit as a vital tool for tribal protection. He cited Mizoram’s success in reclaiming business ownership from non-Mizos since 1994. The state now relies on civil society groups like the Central Young Mizo Association and Mizo Zirlai Pawl to enforce residency rules.
Enforcement remains aggressive. Operations identified 1,187 permit defaulters in March 2024 and 68 undocumented individuals in February 2026. The state now manages high volumes of traffic following the September 2025 opening of Sairang Railway Station. That station processed 72,778 permits between June and July 2026 alone. To balance growth and security, the Mizoram government digitized its system, supporting over eight lakh tourists in 2025.
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