📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Politics
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio says Inner Line Permit should safeguard identity while fostering development
✍️ The Hans India
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 01:34 PM
👁 3
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasized that the Inner Line Permit must protect Nagaland’s cultural identity while also facilitating progress.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reiterated the importance of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as a tool to preserve Nagaland’s distinct cultural heritage while allowing the state to move forward economically. Speaking at a press conference in Kohima, he stressed that any revision of the ILP framework must keep the community’s identity at its core.
Rio highlighted that Nagaland’s tribal customs, languages and traditions are integral to its identity, and the ILP has historically helped regulate external entry to safeguard these aspects. He warned that loosening restrictions without safeguards could dilute the unique social fabric of the state.
At the same time, the chief minister underscored the need for progress, noting that a balanced ILP policy can attract responsible tourism, investment and skilled professionals, thereby creating jobs and improving infrastructure. He called for a consultative approach involving tribal councils and civil society to draft amendments that reflect both preservation and development goals.
The government is set to review the ILP mechanism in the coming months, with Rio promising that any changes will be transparent and inclusive, ensuring that Nagaland’s identity remains protected while the state embraces growth.
Rio highlighted that Nagaland’s tribal customs, languages and traditions are integral to its identity, and the ILP has historically helped regulate external entry to safeguard these aspects. He warned that loosening restrictions without safeguards could dilute the unique social fabric of the state.
At the same time, the chief minister underscored the need for progress, noting that a balanced ILP policy can attract responsible tourism, investment and skilled professionals, thereby creating jobs and improving infrastructure. He called for a consultative approach involving tribal councils and civil society to draft amendments that reflect both preservation and development goals.
The government is set to review the ILP mechanism in the coming months, with Rio promising that any changes will be transparent and inclusive, ensuring that Nagaland’s identity remains protected while the state embraces growth.