The Supreme Court has granted the Manipur government eight weeks to respond to a petition challenging the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, which restricts entry for non-indigenous individuals. Critics argue it undermines national integration and tourism while violating constitutional rights. The decision highlights tensions between regional governance and individual freedoms, with potential significant implications for India’s legal landscape.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (Nov 20th) granted the Manipur government eight weeks to respond to a plea challenging the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state. Manipur is the fourth state, after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram, to implement the ILP regime. This system requires outsiders, including citizens from other Indian states, to obtain permission to enter the ILP-regulated areas.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti provided additional time to Manipur after the state’s counsel requested an extension. The court had previously issued notices to the Centre and the Manipur government on January 3, 2022, based on a petition filed by an organization called ‘Amra Bangalee’.
The plea challenges the ILP system, arguing that it grants
“unrestrained power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous people or those who are not permanent residents of Manipur.”
The petition asserts that such restrictions hinder national integration and development in the region while adversely impacting tourism, a vital source of revenue for the state.
“The draconian ILP system is fundamentally opposed to the policies of social integration, development, and technological advancement in the area beyond the Inner Line, apart from hampering tourism within the state,”
the petition claims.
The plea also targets the Manipur Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2019, stating that the system violates fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution under Articles 14 (equality before the law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), 19 (freedom of movement), and 21 (protection of life and personal liberty). It argues that the 2019 guidelines “grant unqualified power to the state to restrict entry and exit of non-indigenous people.”
The ILP system, introduced under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, aims to protect the indigenous communities’ cultural and demographic interests. However, critics claim it creates barriers to economic and social integration.
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The court’s decision to provide the Manipur government with more time indicates the complexity of balancing regional autonomy with constitutional rights. The case will likely have significant implications for the delicate interplay of regional governance and individual freedoms in India.
The Supreme Court will revisit the matter after the eight-week deadline, setting the stage for a potentially landmark decision on the validity of the ILP system.
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