Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday directed district authorities to identify and demolish all unauthorised religious structures in Itanagar, marking a decisive administrative response to mounting public pressure. The move comes amid sustained protests by indigenous youth groups who have raised concerns over alleged encroachment and unauthorised constructions linked to illegal immigration in the state capital.

Khandu said deputy commissioners have been instructed to act strictly within the framework of existing laws, stressing that Arunachal Pradesh remains protected under the Inner Line Permit system established by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873. He underlined that the ILP regime is designed to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities, preserve tribal land, and protect the state’s distinct cultural and demographic character.

The chief minister admitted that enforcement of the ILP mechanism had been weak in the past due to administrative and monitoring limitations. He said the government has now migrated the system to a digital platform, which will enable better tracking of non-residents and ensure more effective scrutiny of illegal entry and prolonged stays in the state.

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According to Khandu, the updated system will also place greater responsibility on employers who bring labourers from outside Arunachal Pradesh. Such employers will be required to notify authorities in advance for verification and compliance, a measure aimed at tightening oversight and preventing misuse of legal loopholes. He added that the revised framework would be implemented after receiving approval from the state cabinet.

Indigenous youth groups have been staging protests across Itanagar and nearby areas for several months, alleging that unauthorised religious structures have been constructed on tribal land without legal clearance. These groups have repeatedly urged the government to take swift action, warning that failure to enforce protective laws could undermine indigenous rights and social harmony in the region.

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