Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday announced that the state government would create a separate department dedicated to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to strengthen its enforcement and safeguard indigenous tribal rights. The decision was taken during a seven-hour-long high-level consultative meeting attended by student bodies, community-based organisations (CBOs), legal experts, political parties and civil society groups to deliberate on issues related to indigenous rights, ILP enforcement and demands raised by the Arunachal Pradesh ST Bachao Andolan Committee (APSTBAC). Describing the deliberations as one of the most extensive discussions held on the future of the state and its indigenous communities, Khandu said the government remained committed to protecting the identity, demographic security and constitutional rights of Arunachal Pradesh's tribal population. "All community-based organisations, student bodies, representatives of political parties and other stakeholders attended the consultative meeting and shared their concerns and suggestions," Khandu told reporters after the meeting.
Asked about the issue of illegal religious structures, he said the government would take action against all illegal mosques in the state. He said directions have already been issued to the chief secretary to prepare a detailed report on such structures across the state for further action. Khandu said the government has accepted in principle all four demands submitted by APSTBAC, terming them "genuine". The demands included stronger protection of indigenous tribal rights, action against illegal immigrants, strict implementation of the ILP system and opposition to granting Scheduled Tribe status to non-tribal communities.
Seven-member delegations from the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), APSTBAC and legal experts were invited to a follow-up meeting on May 29 to prepare a roadmap on the issues discussed. Khandu said the government would officially notify the committee immediately after finalisation of members, maintaining that all recommendations submitted by it would be discussed transparently before any final policy decisions are taken.
The developments come against the backdrop of a 36-hour bandh called by APSTBAC from May 14 over the "Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit Guidelines, 2026". The committee had alleged that the new ILP guidelines could dilute indigenous protections and weaken the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The bandh turned violent on May 15, with clashes reported between protesters and security personnel. The committee had also threatened to launch a 72-hour statewide bandh if the government failed to provide a concrete solution. Responding to a question on the 24-hour capital bandh called by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organisation (APIYO) on Thursday over the issue of alleged illegal mosques in Itanagar, Khandu said the organisation had announced the bandh without waiting for the outcome of the consultative meeting. "Their demands are genuine, and the government has already announced action during the meeting," he said, appealing for peace, restraint and cooperation from all organisations and citizens.
The chief minister thanked the APSTBAC for highlighting what he described as a long-pending issue linked to illegal immigration, demographic imbalance and threats to indigenous identity and culture. He said the concerns are not limited to Arunachal Pradesh but are part of a larger national challenge.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address of last year, he said the Centre has already recognised demographic imbalance and illegal immigration as serious issues affecting law and order, indigenous culture and national security. Khandu also informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has constituted a national High-Level Committee on Demographic Change comprising retired judges, IAS and IPS officers, and senior MHA officials.
Stressing the need to protect Arunachal Pradesh’s tribal identity and cultural heritage, the chief minister advocated skill development and capacity-building of local youths to reduce dependence on outside labour.
Citing Mizoram as an example, he highlighted the importance of the dignity of labour and vocational training. He also shared that a group of tribal youths trained in Bengaluru in plumbing and electrical works later completed a Rs 10 lakh project in Pasighat, against an Rs 18 lakh estimate quoted by outside contractors, saving Rs 8 lakh while generating local employment. He urged apex community-based organisations to actively support skill development initiatives across the state.