What is it?

• The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document that allows Indian citizens to stay in an area under the ILP system. 
• The document is currently required by visitors to Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.
• The ILP is issued by the concerned state government. The permits issued are mostly of different kinds, provided separately for tourists, tenants and for other purposes.
• The main objective of the ILP system is to prevent settlement of other Indian nationals in the notified states in order to protect the indigenous population. It also offers protection for the locals with regards to lands, jobs and other facilities.

History of ILP

• Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, the British framed regulations restricting the entry and regulating the stay of outsiders in designated areas. 
• This was to protect the Crown’s own commercial interests by preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within these regions. 
• In 1950, the Indian government replaced “British subjects” with “Citizen of India”. This was to address local concerns about protecting the interests of the indigenous people from outsiders belonging to other Indian states.

Why in News?

• Union home minister Amit Shah recently said the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) was the biggest gift given by the Centre to Manipur since its creation as a state.
• ILP was a long-standing demand of the indigenous people of Manipur. 
• In December last year, the Central government included Manipur within the ambit of ILP system.

Reference:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/inner-line-permit-biggest-gift-to-people-of-manipur-by-pm-modi-amit-shah-in-imphal/story-Ud89flKymJPNEBBbOoYQnN.html