67 people detained for trying to enter Nagaland without ILP released: Police

Dimapur/Bokajan: Over 60 people from Assam who were detained by the Nagaland police for trying to enter Dimapur without "proper documents" have been released, police said on Monday.

Protestors had blocked NH-39 near an inter-state check gate at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Sunday noon demanding release of the 67 people who were detained for trying to visit the commercial hub of the northeastern state without Inner Line Permits (ILP), they said.

Till December 2019, ILP was not required for travelling to the busy town of Dimapur which is frequented by people from neighbouring Assam.

The national highway was blocked for two hours on Sunday disrupting movement of vehicles.

The situation was brought under control after district officials of the two states intervened, police said.

Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police Debajit Deuri said on Monday, "The situation is normal now and the people have been released from detention."

PRO of Dimapur Police T Relo Aye said that some persons entering the state from Assam were "detained temporarily for questioning due to non-possession of proper documents".

While Dimapur was the only district in Nagaland without ILP regime since the formation of the state in 1963, the state government brought it under the purview of ILP from December 9, 2019.