Kohima, 11th September 2026 (Nokinketer News): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime from the State, citing its adverse impact on tourism, investment, international engagements and the aspirations of the State’s youth.
In a letter to Amit Shah on Friday, Rio said the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had unanimously appealed to the Centre to review and withdraw the PAP regime and restore the relaxation that had earlier been in force.
The Chief Minister said the demand reflected a “united position” of the elected representatives and had also received widespread support from civil society organisations, tribal bodies, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs, businesses and the youth.
According to Rio, the State Government has repeatedly raised the issue with the Ministry of Home Affairs and has expressed its willingness to put in place appropriate systems for the registration, regulation and monitoring of foreign visitors in coordination with the Centre and other agencies.
He said Nagaland had remained one of the peaceful States in the country and that the ceasefire and ongoing peace process had brought “immense dividends of peace, stability and tranquillity” over the years.
Rio particularly highlighted the impact of the PAP regime on tourism, saying the sector had emerged as an important pillar of Nagaland’s economy and a major source of livelihood and employment for young people.
He said the Hornbill Festival, which has gained national and international recognition, had helped promote Nagaland’s cultural diversity and created opportunities for cultural exchanges, investment, business engagements and institutional partnerships.
However, the Chief Minister said the limited relaxation granted during the 2025 Hornbill Festival had provided little practical benefit to international tourism, as foreign visitors generally plan their travel, accommodation and itineraries well in advance.
The PAP regime, he added, had also complicated official visits by diplomats, investors, development agencies and international institutions, besides affecting international festivals, sporting events and cultural programmes.
“At a time when States are being encouraged to compete for investments, build international partnerships, promote tourism and contribute to India’s global outreach, such restrictions place Nagaland at a distinct disadvantage,” Rio said.
He also referred to the progressive reduction of areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the Northeast as an indication of the improving security environment in the region.
Rio urged Shah to personally intervene and favourably consider the complete withdrawal of PAP from Nagaland. He assured that the State Government would continue to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish appropriate registration, monitoring and security mechanisms to safeguard national security.
The Nagaland Assembly had unanimously adopted the resolution on September 3, appealing to the Centre to withdraw or relax the PAP regime and restore the earlier relaxation. The resolution also emphasised the State’s peaceful environment, developmental aspirations, tourism potential and the need to expand opportunities for its youth.
The Assembly assured the Centre of the State Government’s cooperation in implementing technology-driven and institutional mechanisms for monitoring foreign nationals.
Rio’s latest appeal follows several earlier communications to the Centre seeking a review of the PAP regime. The State Government has maintained that the security situation in Nagaland is distinct from circumstances that prompted the reimposition of PAP in the region.
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