Dimapur Police warn that foreign nationals are entering Nagaland without a valid Protected Area Permit despite advisories and tightened rules by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Share
DIMAPUR — Foreign nationals continue to visit Nagaland without obtaining the mandatory Protected Area Permit (PAP), despite repeated advisories and wide publicity, the Commissioner of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officer, Dimapur, said on Tuesday.
In a press note, the commissioner reiterated that the relaxation granted under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 has been withdrawn from Nagaland by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Circular No. 602 dated December 17, 2024, in view of growing security concerns in the border areas of the state. Visits without a valid PAP, it said, amount to violations of existing regulations.
Under the current regime, all foreign nationals intending to visit Nagaland must obtain a Protected Area Permit from designated authorities. These include the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian Missions abroad, Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), the Home Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, Kohima, the Resident Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, New Delhi, and the Secretary (Tourism), Government of Nagaland, Kohima.
Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries, will continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before visiting the state. Prior approval is also necessary for the grant of PAP to a citizen of Myanmar to visit Nagaland.
Also read: NPYF seeks stronger safeguards for NE citizens after Gorakhpur assault, Delhi racial harassment
WC-NNPG seeks timeline for Naga solution, welcomes new GoI representative
Further, all foreign nationals visiting the state are required to register with the Foreigners Registration Officer of the state or district concerned within 24 hours of arrival.
To facilitate travel of bona fide foreigners and avoid delays, applications are to be processed through the e-FRRO portal at
The commissioner also instructed travel agents, tour operators, hotels, guest houses, homestays, government departments and other entities facilitating the visit or stay of foreign nationals in Nagaland to verify that visitors are in possession of valid PAP before facilitating travel or accommodation.
It further sought cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with the Protected Area Permit regime in the interest of security and regulatory requirements.