The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Manipur government eight weeks to respond to a plea challenging the applicability of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state.
The ILP, which governs the entry of non-indigenous individuals, is operational in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram. It requires visitors, including Indian citizens from other states, to obtain permission before entering these regions.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti granted the extension after the counsel for the Manipur government requested additional time to file their response.
The court had earlier issued notices to the Centre, the Manipur government, and others on January 3, 2022, based on a petition by the organisation Amra Bangalee.
The plea has called the ILP system "draconian," arguing that it conflicts with principles of social integration and development.
"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, which is a major source of revenue generation for these areas," the organisation stated.
Additionally, the petition has challenged the Manipur Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2019, alleging that they infringe upon constitutional rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21.
According to the plea, the guidelines provide excessive and unchecked powers to the state to regulate the movement of non-indigenous individuals.
The matter remains under consideration, with the court awaiting the state's response before further hearings.
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