The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has approved a decision to make the Inner-Line Permit (ILP) system more watertight.
The decision followed the enforcement of a 36-hour shutdown on Thursday (May 14, 2026) morning by the Scheduled Tribe Bachao Andolan Committee, a local organisation. The shutdown affected normal life in several parts of the State bordering Assam, specifically in Itanagar and Naharlagun.
The ILP, issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, is a temporary travel document that Indians who are not permanent residents of Arunachal Pradesh must possess to enter the State. Community-based and student organisations have been pressuring the State government to make the document forgery-proof.
The State Cabinet reviewed the status of the ILP implementation and approved new guidelines to modernise and strengthen it. According to the revised system, the State will introduce a fully digital e-ILP platform with QR code verification at check gates to curb fake permits. Aadhaar-based authentication, mandatory police verification, and sponsor accountability for work permits have also been introduced to ensure better traceability.
The government also announced stricter penalties for ILP violations, including provisions to bar violators for up to two years. District task forces and police officers would be empowered to conduct surprise inspections at entry gates, markets, and worksites to ensure compliance.
