The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee (ASTBAC) on Tuesday voiced concern over what it called a rise in illegal migrants, including Bangladeshi immigrants and Tibetan refugees, saying the trend threatens the identity, land rights, and constitutional safeguards of the state’s indigenous tribal communities.
Speaking at a press conference, ASTBAC members said uncertainty has emerged after a new gazette notification on the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system was issued on March 26 this year.
The group claimed the notification reintroduced some old ILP rules and guidelines, creating confusion among the public about the current framework for entry and stay in the frontier state.
ASTBAC alleged lapses in how authorities handled and interpreted the notification. It accused the Political Department of causing administrative ambiguity in enforcing ILP regulations, leading to widespread confusion among citizens and stakeholders.
Committee members said the issue raises serious concerns over transparency, accountability, and proper enforcement of laws meant to protect indigenous tribal interests.
Arunachal Pradesh’s ILP system is governed by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873. The colonial-era law restricts outsider entry into protected areas to safeguard the demographic and cultural identity of Northeast tribal communities.
Under the ILP regime, non-residents must secure official permits before entering Arunachal. The system is seen as a key legal shield for the state’s socio-cultural fabric, customary rights, and tribal land ownership patterns.
ASTBAC said any dilution, misinterpretation, or ambiguity in ILP rules could weaken constitutional protections for Arunachal’s tribal people. It urged the state government to enforce ILP norms strictly and clear all confusion around the latest notification.
The organisation called for urgent intervention, asking the government and concerned departments to review the notification process and issue clear guidelines on ILP procedures to prevent further misunderstanding.
The committee warned it will start democratic protests and statewide public agitations if corrective steps are not taken within two days.
