Itanagar, Jun 1: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has firmly rejected the stance of the Assam-based Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) opposing the application of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to members of the Mising community in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the ILP is a “non-negotiable” constitutional and legal safeguard that applies uniformly to all non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (non-APST) individuals.
Responding to TMPK’s recent statement, AAPSU president Meje Taku said the union respects the historical and cultural ties shared by the Mising community with several indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. However, he maintained that such ties cannot serve as grounds for exemption from the legal framework that exists to protect the state’s indigenous people.
“The Inner Line Permit system is not a matter of sentiment or community preference — it is a constitutional and statutory protection guaranteed to the indigenous peoples of Arunachal Pradesh. No community, regardless of its historical ties or ethnolinguistic affinities, can claim exemption from a rule that applies equally to all non-APST persons entering and residing in the state,” Taku said.
AAPSU emphasized that the ILP system in Arunachal Pradesh is not an arbitrary administrative instrument but is rooted in a robust framework of constitutional and statutory provisions, including the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, which provides the legal basis for the permit regime. The union also pointed to Article 371(H) of the Constitution, which grants special responsibilities to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh with regard to law and order, reinforcing the state’s unique constitutional safeguards. “Together, these provisions form an architecture of protection that AAPSU considers sacrosanct and indivisible.”
While TMPK has reportedly cited the Mising community’s ethnolinguistic proximity to tribes such as the Adi, Nyishi, Galo, Apatani, and Tagin, and their historical presence in districts including East Siang, Lower Siang, Namsai, and Papum Pare, AAPSU drew a careful distinction between historical presence and legal status.
“We do not deny the historical and cultural bonds between the Mising people and the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. These bonds deserve acknowledgment and respect. However, the legal position is clear—any person who is not an APST requires an Inner Line Permit to enter and reside in the state,” Taku stated.
The AAPSU president also appealed to individuals and organisations on both sides to exercise restraint and responsibility while discussing sensitive issues relating to identity and community rights. He cautioned against statements that could inflame public sentiment or disturb the long-standing harmony among communities.
AAPSU further warned that granting ILP exemptions based on historical or ethnolinguistic considerations could set a precedent with far-reaching implications, potentially undermining the very purpose of the permit system.
“If historical ties become the criterion for exemption, it would weaken a protection mechanism that has existed for more than 150 years and remains vital for safeguarding the interests of the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh,” Taku said.
Reaffirming that its position is not directed against the Mising community, AAPSU described the Misings as a proud indigenous community with a rich cultural heritage. The union expressed hope that all stakeholders would engage constructively within the existing legal framework and urged the state government to ensure strict, impartial and uniform enforcement of the ILP system across Arunachal Pradesh.