Guess internal time is absent for these people (5)

I believe the answer is:

inuit

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'people' is the definition.
(I know that Inuit is a people)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for inuit that I've seen before include "Alternative spelling for the Eskimo people" , "Dweller in the far north" , "One from the far north" , "native of the North" , "People living in the Arctic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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