Aizawl, July 1, 2025: With the Sairang Railway Station completed and its inauguration expected later this month, the Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA) has raised urgent concerns regarding the potential influx of non-locals into the state via rail, and has called on the government to ensure strict implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
In a meeting with Home Minister K. Sapdanga on Tuesday, MIMA leaders expressed apprehension over gaps in ILP enforcement, especially in the context of enhanced railway connectivity. While welcoming development, they cautioned that economic progress should not compromise the demographic security of Mizoram.
They highlighted that although Mizoram is protected under the ILP regime, there are ongoing lapses—such as the issuance of Temporary ILPs at Lengpui Airport without proper scrutiny—that could be repeated at the newly operational Sairang and Bairabi railway stations.
MIMA submitted three key demands to the government:
1. Strengthen and computerize ILP check gates at Bairabi Railway Station, where current facilities are reportedly insufficient.
2. Install ILP checkpoints at all intermediate roadside and halt stations along the Bairabi–Sairang route.
3. Ensure strict ILP verification at Sairang Railway Station, preventing passengers from entering without valid permits.
The association stated that failure to implement these measures could lead to unregulated entry of outsiders, causing cultural and economic disruptions and weakening ILP protections that were hard-won by the Mizo people.
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MIMA clarified that its concerns were not against any community, but aimed at preserving Mizoram’s identity and ensuring responsible migration regulation through fair and consistent ILP enforcement.
Home Minister Sapdanga assured MIMA that the matter would be addressed urgently, especially given the imminent start of passenger services on the Sairang line.
