Guwahati, July 20: Nine individuals, including two government officials, were recently arrested by Manipur police concerning a fraudulent Inner Line Permit (ILP) card-issuing scam. The investigation team also recovered 3,500 fake ILP cards.
State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh disclosed the details of the operation during a press meeting in Imphal on Friday evening. “The police investigation is ongoing, and more people will be apprehended soon,” Singh stated. He explained that the arrests followed a series of raids conducted on July 18 and 19 at five locations across the state.
The investigation revealed that government authorities and intermediaries extorted money from ILP applicants and produced counterfeit permits. During the raids, authorities confiscated computer equipment, laptops, fake ILPs, Aadhaar cards, and official seals. Among those arrested was a Lower Division Clerk from the Labour Department, highlighting the potential involvement of government officials in the scheme.
The Chief Minister confirmed that approximately 3,500 fake ILPs were generated through the five raided outlets. The illicit possession of ILP passes and links with officials from Imphal West and Imphal East Districts, as well as the Labour Department, suggest a broader network engaged in extorting additional money from ILP seekers.
To address the situation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an officer of Additional SP rank will be formed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Chief Minister Singh assured that stringent legal action would be taken against all individuals involved in the scheme.
In a bid to improve the ILP system, the government introduced the ILP-Facial Recognition System (FRS) on May 2, 2023. Currently, static FRS units are operational at Imphal Airport and Jiribam, with two mobile units in Imphal to detect ILP defaulters. Plans are underway to expand the FRS to all ILP counters across the state.
Read:Â Meghalaya Cabinet clears Rs. 300 cr Pepsico plant in North Garo Hills, to create 500 jobs
WATCH:
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel-Â www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram-Â www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
 card-issuing scam. The investigation team also recovered 3,500 fake ILP cards.){kind=link}