Nagaland CM urges withdrawal of Protected Area Permit regime

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime from the state. During a meeting in New Delhi on September 11, Rio argued that the current restrictions are hindering the state’s tourism, investment, and international engagement.

Rio noted that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly recently passed a unanimous resolution calling for the review and withdrawal of the PAP regime to restore previous relaxations. He emphasized that the issue has caused widespread concern among civil society, tribal bodies, business communities, and the youth, as it impacts the state’s efforts toward economic integration.

To address security concerns, the state government expressed willingness to implement alternative monitoring mechanisms, such as technology-enabled systems, to register and regulate foreign visitors in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs.