Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio urges Amit Shah to withdraw PAP, citing concerns over tourism, investment and international engagement
DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has made a fresh push to the Centre for immediate and complete withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime from the state, arguing that its continued application is increasingly at odds with Nagaland’s peaceful security environment and developmental aspirations.
In a letter submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, Rio sought his “personal intervention” and favourable consideration of the unanimous appeal of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which recently adopted a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the PAP regime and restore the relaxation that had previously been in place.
Rio said that the demand reflected not only the position of the elected representatives but also “widespread concern” among civil society organisations, tribal bodies, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs, the business community and youth.
According to the chief minister, the permit regime is affecting Nagaland’s efforts towards greater economic integration and engagement with the rest of India and the world.
The state government, he said, had repeatedly taken up the issue with the Centre, while the state Cabinet had also resolved against the reimposition of PAP and urged its early withdrawal.
Rio assured that Nagaland was willing to put in place appropriate mechanisms, including technology-enabled systems, for the registration, regulation and monitoring of foreign visitors in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other agencies.
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The chief minister also cited the state’s improved security environment, saying the ceasefire and ongoing peace process had brought “immense dividends of peace, stability and tranquillity” over the years.
He argued that the regulatory environment should evolve alongside a new generation whose aspirations centre on education, entrepreneurship, tourism, sports, the creative economy, innovation and engagement with the wider world.
Tourism, Rio said, had emerged as an important pillar of Nagaland’s economy and a source of livelihood for thousands of people, including homestay operators, transport providers, artisans, musicians, artists, farmers and food entrepreneurs.
He highlighted the Hornbill Festival, describing it as a major platform for cultural exchange, investment discussions, business engagements and institutional collaborations involving visitors and partner countries.
Rio pointed out that in 2025 the Centre had granted relaxation of PAP only for the period coinciding with the Hornbill Festival, despite repeated requests from the state government and various sections of Naga society.
While appreciating the Centre’s intervention, he maintained that such a limited relaxation had “little practical benefit” for international tourism because foreign visitors generally plan travel, book tickets and accommodation and finalise itineraries weeks or months in advance.
The impact of PAP, he added, extended beyond tourism to official visits by diplomats, representatives of partner countries, investors, development agencies and international institutions.
It had also complicated the organisation of international festivals, investment meetings, cultural exchanges and sporting events involving overseas participation, he claimed.
“At a time when states are being encouraged to compete for investments, build international partnerships, promote tourism and contribute to India’s global outreach, such restrictions place Nagaland at a distinct disadvantage,” the letter read.
Rio further referred to the Centre’s progressive reduction of areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as evidence of improving security conditions in the Northeast.
Against this backdrop, he said, the continued application of PAP in Nagaland was becoming increasingly difficult for people to understand and risked creating frustration and a sense of alienation among the youth.
Accordingly, Rio requested Shah’s intervention for “immediate and complete withdrawal” of PAP from Nagaland, while assuring that the state government remained committed to working with the MHA and other agencies on registration, monitoring and security mechanisms considered necessary.
The letter was accompanied by copies of the Assembly resolution and earlier communications seeking relaxation of the PAP regime.