Nagaland Cabinet renews its appeal to the Centre to lift PAP restrictions, citing adverse effects on tourism and investment
DIMAPUR — Nagaland Cabinet has renewed its appeal to the Centre to lift the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the state, stating that its reimposition in December 2024 has adversely affected tourism and investment.
The Cabinet made the appeal at its meeting on October 10, while passing a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government.
According to a DIPR update, the Cabinet acknowledged that the ceasefire and ongoing peace process had brought peace and stability to Nagaland over the years, while tourism had emerged as an increasingly important pillar of the state’s economy and a source of livelihood and employment, particularly for young people.
However, it stated, the reimposition of the PAP regime had adversely affected the sector and investment in the state.
The government had made several requests to the Centre to withdraw the restrictions. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had also unanimously adopted a resolution appealing to the Centre to withdraw the PAP regime and restore the earlier relaxation.
Also read: ‘Nagaland is peaceful’: Assembly seeks end to Protected Area Permit
The Cabinet expressed hope that the Centre would consider the request favourably and lift the regime at the earliest.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the Centre’s role in efforts to resolve the Naga political issue, referring to the 2015 Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the 2017 Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups.
It lauded the appointment of Ajit Lal as the Centre’s interlocutor for the peace talks and the decision to constitute a state-level team led by a minister or a group of ministers, describing these as steps towards an early, honourable and mutually acceptable settlement.
The Cabinet further highlighted the February 5, 2026, tripartite memorandum of agreement for the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), involving the Centre, the state government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation. The FNTA Bill was introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 1 and unanimously passed on September 3.
It also acknowledged the June 11 tripartite memorandum of understanding between the governments of India, Assam and Nagaland to facilitate oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Disputed Area Belt along the Nagaland-Assam border.
Among infrastructure projects cited by the Cabinet were the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Kohima, the Shokhuvi railway station, the extension of the railway line to Zubza and the four-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway.
The Cabinet also expressed appreciation for the Centre’s support for proposed projects, including the Foothill Road, an airport at Ciethu in Kohima, an Indian Institute of Technology and an AIIMS in Nagaki city, Chümoukedima, as well as waterways and hydroelectric projects.
The resolution also praised central initiatives such as Digital India, Swachh Bharat, the Scheme for Special Assistance for Capital Investment and the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region, saying they had contributed to infrastructure development and economic growth.