Kohima: The Gauhati High Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Nagaland government's decision to extend the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime to the districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Kakheto Sema dismissed multiple public interest litigations that challenged government notifications issued in September 2024 and May 2025.
The court ruled that the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873 remains a valid law under Article 372 of the Constitution. Judges rejected claims that the expansion was arbitrary or violated constitutional rights regarding equality and freedom of movement. The bench observed that the state is not permanently bound by past exemptions and that concerns regarding indigenous interests, migration, and public security justify updated policy decisions.
Regarding the legal basis for the move, the court stated, “Judicial review was concerned with the existence of relevant material and not with reassessing the sufficiency of such material.” The bench emphasized that the government acted based on committee reports, departmental deliberations, and Cabinet decisions rather than making an unverified choice.
Addressing concerns from petitioners regarding documentation for residents of neighboring Assam districts, the state government offered assurances. Applicants from Cachar, Hailakandi, Dima Hasao, and Karbi Anglong will not need to provide final NRC registration documents. Instead, the court noted that a receipt of claim containing an ARN number from the NRC process is sufficient for permit applications. With these rulings, the court dismissed all challenges and vacated any existing interim orders.
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