Inner Line Permit

Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. The document is an effort by the government to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international border of India. This is an offshoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873,^[1] which protected Crown's interest in the tea, oil and elephant trade by prohibiting "British subjects" from entering into these "Protected Areas" (to prevent them from establishing any commercial venture that could rival the Crown's agents). The word "British subjects" was replaced by Citizen of India in 1950. Despite the fact that the ILP was originally created by the British to safeguard their commercial interests, it continues to be used in India, officially to protect tribal cultures in northeastern India.^[2] There are different kinds of ILP's, one for tourists and others for people who intend to stay for long-term periods, often for employment purposes.

ILP's valid for tourism purposes are granted as a matter of routine.^[3]

The states which require the permit are:

• Arunachal Pradesh — Issued by the secretary (political) of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. It is required for entering Arunachal Pradesh through any of the check gates across the interstate border with Assam or Nagaland. An ILP for temporary visitors is valid for 15 days and can be extended, while one for those taking employment in the state and their immediate family members is valid for a year.^[4][5][6] The Arunachal Pradesh government is planning to implement a permit-on-arrival system.^[7]
• Mizoram — Issued by the Government of Mizoram. It is required for entering Mizoram through any of the check gates across the inter-State borders. Typically, a "Temporary ILP" is issued to visitors, which is valid for 15 days, and can be extended another 15 days, with the possibility of extending it to one month in exceptional circumstances. However, with the sponsorship of a local resident or government department, a "Regular ILP" can be procured, which is valid for 6 months and can be renewed twice for another 6 months each.^[8][9] If arriving by air, an ILP can be obtained on arrival at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl.^[10]
• Nagaland — Issued by the Government of Nagaland. It is mandatory for Indian citizens of other states entering Nagaland through any of the check gates across the interstate borders. Dimapur, Nagaland's largest city and porthead, is the only place in the state which does not require an ILP, and Indians arriving by air at Dimapur Airport can arrive and stay in the city without one.
• Sikkim — The following competent authorities have been designated to issue inner line permits for Sikkim:

All Indian Missions abroad Ministry of Home Affairs All Foreigners Registration Officers Immigration Officers at Airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling Deputy Secretary/Under Secretary, Home Department, Govt. of West Bengal, Calcutta Government of Sikkim Chief Secretary, Gangtok Home Secretary, Gangtok Secretary, Tourism, Gangtok I.G.P. of Police, Gangtok Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi Deputy Secretary, Tourism, Siliguri Resident Commissioner, STCS, Calcutta Tourism Officer, Rangpo . It is required for Foreigners entering Sikkim through any of the check gates across the interstate border with West Bengal. An ILP for temporary visitors is issued for 15 days and Once in Sikkim these permits can be further extended for 30 more days in two spells of 15 days each. These extensions are granted only at Gangtok by State Home Department. Extensions beyond the period of forty-five days are vary rarely given. Foreigners who wish to stay in Sikkim for purposes other than tourism for longer period of time are required to apply directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.^[11]

Indian Citizens do not require ILP while entering Sikkim, but do require permits for certain border areas which are restricted, which can be applied for once in Sikkim. The ILP is also now referred to RAP / PAP - Restricted Area Permit/ Protected area Permit

The Nationalities of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan will not be issued Permit to visit Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya without the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

Foreigners are advised to travel in a group of two or more in restricted areas of Sikkim. Foreigners are not allowed to travel single.

Protected Area Permit (PAP) for various places in Sikkim are issued as follows: - East District:- 1. Tsongo –Baba Mandir-permit are issued by Police Check Post for Domestic Tourist. For foreign tourist, permit is issued by Tourism & Civil Aviation Department and Police check post.

2. Nathula Pass – Permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post for domestic tourist.

West District:- 1. Dzongri Trek – Permit is issued by Adventure Cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim

2. Singalila Trek – Permit is issued by Adventure cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim

North District:- 1. Yumthang – Permit is issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post 2. Yumesamdong - Permit is issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post 3. Thangu-Chopta Valley – Permit is issued by Police Check post for Domestic Tourist and for Foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department and Police check post. Foreigners must apply through a Sikkim Tourism registered Travel Agent in groups of two people or more for visiting these areas. 4. Gurudongmar – Permit is issued by Police check post for domestic tourist and for foreigners permit is issued by Tourism Department till Thangu. 5. Green Lake Trekking Permit is issued by Tourism Department after obtaining a valid permit from Ministry of Home Department, New Delhi. South District:- Restricted Area Permit is a valid permit for trekking anywhere in the South District for Foreign Tourist.

Alpine Mountaineering Expedition permit is issued by Tourism Department after obtaining valid permit from Home Department, Government of Sikkim, Gangtok, for the following peaks as per the Home Department Notification no: 25/Home/2006 dated 20/3/2006 Tinchenkhang 5603 metres ( West Sikkim) Jopuno 5935m (West Sikkim) Freys peak 5830m(West Sikkim) Lama Angden 5868m( North Sikkim ) Brum Khangse 5433m ( North Sikkim ) National park and Wildlife Sanctuary entry permits is issued by Forest Department at Gangtok SIKKIM. ^[12]

Indian citizens also need a Nagaland-issued ILP if entering Manipur by road via Dimapur or Kohima. However, demands by the Government of Manipur for the introduction of the provision of an Inner Line Permit system to restrict entry of outsiders into the state were refused.^[13]

An ILP was previously required for certain parts of the Leh district in Jammu and Kashmir. This requirement was abolished by a circular issued by district magistrate which took effect from 1 May 2014, although foreign nationals are required to get Protected Area Permit for this region.^[14]

There are also ongoing demands for the introduction of ILP in Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur to regulate entry of outsiders into the state. ^[15] Meanwhile, Muslims of the state are organizing sit in protests demanding proper implementation of inner line permit system in the State by taking into consideration the concerns of the indigenous population. Manipur Muslim Welfare organisation recalling the joint effort of the indigenous people of the State at the time of Anglo Manipur War said that the Muslim community of the State will support the movement of JCILPS in the demand for inner line permit system for safeguarding indigenous population of the State^[16]

See also

• Protected area permit

References

External links

• How to obtain Inner Line Permit for Ladakh.