KOHIMA — Questioning
the intention of the Government of India’s (GOI) to re-impose the protected
area permit (PAP) for foreign nationals to enter Nagaland, NPF MLA Achumbemo
Kikon has termed as ‘unfair for the state.’
“When GOI has officially recognised the Indo-Naga issue as a
political issue and not a law and order issue, then what is the necessity of
imposing this PAP,? Kikon questioned on Friday. He called upon the house to
convey its resentment on the ‘extreme step’ taken by the Government of India.
“What kind of security concern is GOI talking? It is
tangible. If we are treated at this level, it is not fair,” Kikon asserted.
He also noted that GOI keep imposing Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act (AFSPA) despite the fact that they have engaged the Naga political
groups for dialogue and peace process. To this, he expressed concern over the
‘contradictory approach’ of the centre.
“Even in the initial part of Naga movement, Christian
missionaries including the journalist were restricted by the GOI in reporting
what is happening in this part of Naga homeland. Lots of atrocities took place
and journalists were disallowed. They were restricted out of this PAP,” he
maintained.
He further conveyed to the Government of India that there is
“no threat” in the state and they should not feel threatened saying,“Nagas
cannot be treated like this.” He suggested adopting a strong resolution against
the PAP.
In response, the chief minister stated that PAP was
re-imposed mainly due to security concern. He maintained that though the
Framework Agreement and Agreed Position were signed in 2015 and 2017
respectively, the final solution was yet to be finalised.
“We don't know who is reporting to the ministry. Maybe their
own agency or even Nagas are so thoroughly divided that we are own people are
giving reports,” he said. He added that the re-imposition was notified on
December 17 but the state received only on December 24.
“We are aware that missionaries, who had come to Nagaland,
were questioned and even people who were married to Nagas were also
questioned,” he said.
As far as GOI is concerned, till the Naga political issue is
resolved, this AFSPA may continue, Dr. Rio added.
Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, in a reply stated that the
Ministry of Home Affairs, Circular No 602 dated December 17, 2024, reimposed
the Protected Area Permit in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, "...in the
backdrop of growing security concerns in the border areas of these
states."
He added the circular over ride the exemption from the PAP
enjoyed by foreign travelers visiting the three NE states since December 30,
2010.
The MHA's circular No 579 dated December 16, 2022 had
earlier extended the exemption till December 31, 2027.
“It may be mentioned that the powers to withdraw the
state-specific relaxations were contained in Para 2 of the MHA's Circular No.
579 dated 16.12.2022. It empowered the Government of India to withdraw the
relaxation at any time in case of security concern,” he stated.
NLA passes two bills
Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Friday passed two bills
namely the Rules for Administration of Justice and Police in Nagaland (fifth
amendment) Bill, 2025 and Nagaland work-charged and casual employees regulation
(second amendment) Bill, 2025.
The bills were passed on the fourth day of the ongoing sixth
session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), which were introduced
on March 6 by the chief minister. The bills were unanimously passed by voice
vote.
In the statement of objects and reasons for the rules for
administration of justice and police in Nagaland (fifth amendment) bill, 2025,
Dr. Rio stated that Chapter IV (A) of the rules for the administration of
justice and police in Nagaland, 1984, was inserted by the third amendment of
the rules and received the assent of the president of India on March 14, 1982.
He explained that Chapter IV (A) provides for the
constitution of customary courts in Nagaland at different levels of
administration to adjudicate both civil and criminal disputes in accordance
with Naga customary laws and practices. However, since it has not been notified
to date, the provision could not be implemented.
To implement Chapter IV (A), he stated that certain rules
need to be amended to align with changing times. A committee was set up through
an order dated February 22, 2024, to examine the entire provisions of the
rules, and based on its findings, certain amendments were recommended.
These recommendations were forwarded to the department of
Law and Justice for vetting, where further modifications were made. Given that
substantive amendments can only be enacted by the state legislature, the
amendment bill was deemed necessary to uphold the separation of powers and to
ensure the supremacy of the amendments made.
Meanwhile, regarding the Nagaland work-charged and casual
employees regulation (second amendment) bill, 2025, Dr. Rio stated that the
objective of the bill was to amend the Nagaland work-charged and casual
employees regulation act, 2001 by modifying Chapter-II (3) {2} [a] and [d]
after Section 3 (1) of Chapter II of the principal Act, concerning the
constitution of the work-charged and casual employees commission.
