Nagaland Assembly urges Centre to withdraw Protected Area Permit regime
Nagaland Assembly urged the Centre to withdraw the Protected Area Permit regime, saying it is hurting tourism, investment, business and cultural exchange.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has urged the central government to urgently review and withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, claiming it is detrimental to international tourism, investment, business, and cultural exchange. This appeal was made by Bharatiya Janata Party legislator and deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton.
The PAP regime, reinstated in December 2024 on security grounds, requires foreign nationals to obtain permits to visit specific areas. The state government has been requesting a review of the regime since January 2025, while the center previously relaxed PAP restrictions during the Hornbill Festival last December.
The resolution, passed unanimously by the NLA, states that Nagaland is a peaceful region and calls on the government to consider the state's developmental aspirations and the need for greater opportunities for Naga youth. The House also emphasized that Nagaland remains committed to national security, peace, and stability and assured the center of its full cooperation in implementing technology-driven and institutional mechanisms for foreign nationals' registration and monitoring.
State tourism minister Temjen Imna Along, during the discussion, pointed out that Nagaland cannot be compared to its neighboring Manipur or Mizoram, as the latter has faced unrest and illegal immigration issues. She highlighted that Nagaland has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and that the PAP regime creates a fear psychosis among outsiders, driving away potential investors. She argued that each state has unique circumstances, and the center should address them accordingly.
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