The Home Ministry earlier this month issued a notification stating that travellers wanting to visit Manipur will require an Inner Line Permit (ILP). It is a document that is required by non natives of the state to visit the state and regulates their period of stay. 

The Inner Line Permit falls under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations,1873 which was used by the British to protect their interests in the elephant, oil and tea estates. Currently, it continues to be used in India to protect indigenous tribal cultures in the Northeast.

After Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, Manipur has become the fourth state where an ILP is required. President Ram Nath Kovind signed the order in this effect earlier in December 2019.