Itanagar, June 2: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has strongly opposed demands for exempting members of the Mising community from the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the permit regime is a constitutional and statutory safeguard that must apply uniformly to all non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (non-APST) individuals.
Reacting to recent objections raised by the Assam-based Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) regarding the application of the ILP to Misings entering Arunachal Pradesh, AAPSU president Meje Taku said the permit system is designed to protect the rights, identity and interests of the indigenous people of the state and cannot be weakened on the basis of historical or ethnolinguistic relationships.
While acknowledging the longstanding cultural and historical connections between the Mising community and several indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, including the Adi, Nyishi, Galo, Apatani and Tagin communities, the student body maintained that such ties do not provide grounds for exemption from existing laws governing entry into the state.
Taku stated that the Inner Line Permit system is not governed by sentiments or community preferences but is a legal and constitutional mechanism established to safeguard indigenous communities. He emphasised that the system derives its authority from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, and is further supported by constitutional provisions, including Article 371(H), which grants special responsibilities to the Governor concerning law and order in Arunachal Pradesh.
AAPSU reiterated that all non-APST individuals are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit for entry and residence in the state, regardless of ethnic affiliations or historical associations. The union argued that making exceptions on the basis of shared ancestry or cultural ties could create a precedent that may gradually erode the effectiveness of the permit regime.
The organisation warned that allowing exemptions based on historical or ethnolinguistic considerations could weaken a protective framework that has existed for more than 150 years and continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the demographic and indigenous interests of Arunachal Pradesh.
At the same time, AAPSU appealed to organisations and individuals on both sides to exercise restraint and avoid statements that could fuel tensions or affect communal harmony. The union clarified that its position was not directed against the Mising community, which it described as an indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage and longstanding ties with the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
The student body also urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to ensure strict, impartial and uniform implementation of the ILP system throughout the state. It called on all stakeholders to engage constructively and address concerns within the framework of existing laws and constitutional provisions.
