Itanagar, Jan 7: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said he has directed the state administration to identify and demolish all illegal religious structures in the Itanagar Capital Region, amid protests by youth organisations over alleged unauthorised constructions by illegal immigrants.

Speaking to reporters in Itanagar, Khandu said the state is protected under the Inner Line Permit system, governed by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, which regulates the entry of non-residents to safeguard indigenous communities, land and culture. He said the government is taking steps to strengthen the system through legal and administrative measures.

The chief minister said the ILP mechanism has been migrated to a digital platform to improve monitoring and enforcement. He added that after cabinet approval, new rules would be notified, under which employers hiring workers from outside the state would be required to inform the government for verification.

Khandu also said the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation would be further amended to ensure stricter enforcement, and that border controls and ILP checks would be strengthened following due legal procedures.

The directive follows a 12-hour bandh observed in December by several youth groups, including the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation, Indigenous Youth Force of Arunachal and the All Naharlagun Youth Organisation. The groups have raised concerns over an alleged illegal ‘Capital Jama Masjid’ in Naharlagun, unauthorised settlements and weekly markets reportedly operated by undocumented settlers.

They have also demanded stricter checks at entry points, regular verification drives and enhanced monitoring to protect tribal land and maintain demographic balance in the Itanagar Capital Region.

Police officials said ILP enforcement and verification drives are being intensified to address existing loopholes.