The Inner Line Regulation Commission (ILRC) of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has formally concluded a round of stakeholder consultations on the implementation of the Inner Line Regulation (ILR) in Nagaland, issuing a stern notice that organizations which chose not to participate cannot later claim they were denied an opportunity to be heard.
The Commission said it undertook a transparent and inclusive process by issuing official communications and a public notice inviting non-local organizations to present their views before the ILRC.
The ILRC confirmed it has already completed day-long interactive consultations with the Marwari Samaj, the Muslim Council, and the Bengali Samaj, among other stakeholders.
Addressing organizations that did not respond to the invitation, the Commission stated that any group officially notified but choosing not to engage cannot subsequently allege it was excluded from the process.
The NSF further said that organizations claiming to represent community interests carry the responsibility to constructively participate in matters of public importance. “Choosing to remain absent from such consultations is a conscious decision for which the concerned organization alone must bear responsibility,” the statement read.
The Commission will now proceed to formulate its recommendations based on views and submissions received from stakeholders who participated. It clarified that the absence of any organization will not affect the legitimacy or credibility of the consultations.
The NSF reiterated that meaningful dialogue is built on participation, not on commentary after the fact, adding that organizations that declined to engage should not expect the Commission to revisit its recommendations on grounds that they were not heard.
The statement was issued by the Inner Line Regulation Commission of the Naga Students’ Federation, headquartered at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
