Govt employee among nine held for selling fake ILP card, SIT to probe scam
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 19 2024:
Chief minister N Biren has informed that that nine members of a gang were arrested for issuing fake Inner Line Permit (ILP) cards to non-locals.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang has issued around 3,500 fake ILP cards, with the possibility of more.
Addressing the media at his office on Friday, CM Biren stated that one of the arrested individuals is a serving LDC in the labour department, while four are non-locals.
The arrests were made following raids at five locations - a computer centre at Namdunlong, a mobile repairing shop at Kakhulong, a mobile phone shop in Thangal Keithel, a computer centre near Babupara DC Bungalow office gate, and the reception counter of Cecil Laboratory, RIMS Road.
Items such as computers and laptops were seized during the raids.
The CM highlighted that these centres had official passwords authorised to some state government officers, indicating possible involvement of high-ranking government officials and prominent businessmen in the racket.
The gang sold the ILP passes at rates between Rs 800 and Rs 1000 per pass, against the actual fee of Rs 100 to Rs 200.A Special Investigating Team (SIT) led by an additional SP rank officer has been constituted to investigate the case, he added.
Emphasising the seriousness of the issue, Biren urged anyone with fake ILP cards to surrender to the police or authorities concerned to avoid strict penalties.
The government has implemented the ILP Facial Recognition System to identify ILP defaulters.
All ILP pass issuing counters at Mao, Jiri, Imphal Airport, and the Mizoram border, as well as all police stations, have been alerted about the fake ILP cards.
Two vehicles fitted with facial recognition systems will be deployed to identify fake passes, and similar equipment has been installed at the airport.
The CM reiterated that the state government views the issue of ILP very seriously.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had granted the implementation of the ILP in the state to protect the indigenous population.
The CM called on all officers and officials involved in its implementation to act with sincerity, dedication, and nationalism.
He clarified that only the deputy commissioners concerned and the labour commissioner are authorised to issue ILP cards, and they cannot delegate this authority to subordinate officials.
Labourers can obtain an ILP pass for a period of one year, issued upon the recommendation of proprietors or authorised officials of the relevant hiring companies.
He further warned of stringent legal actions against anyone found misusing the ILP, stating that steps have been taken to strengthen all ILP monitoring cells.
The base year for ILP has been adopted as 1961, and steps will be taken to verify all ILP holders through the issuing authorities - DCs and the labour department.
Persons with fake ILP passes can be arrested and deported out of the state, he cautioned.
Acknowledging reports of police releasing non-locals on the mere production of Aadhaar cards without proper verification, he asserted that such negligence in duty is unacceptable, along with declaring that dedicated teams will be constituted to strengthen the ILP issuance process.
He warned officials involved in the process to be diligent and not to compromise with the process, failing which they could face legal action.
The CM emphasised that it is the responsibility of the native people to protect the state.
MLAs Th Shyamkumar, M Rameshwar, L Ibomcha, Th Shanti, senior officers of police and home department were also present at the press briefing.
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