Nagaland Assembly Unanimously Urges Centre to Withdraw PAP Regime

Kohima: The Nagaland assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution, urging the Centre to withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the state, saying the restrictions were hampering tourism, investment, international engagement and economic opportunities.

The resolution, moved by Deputy Chief Minister (Home) Yanthungo Patton, was adopted through a voice vote.

The PAP regime, which was relaxed in Nagaland in 2011, was re-imposed from December 17, 2024.

Moving the resolution, Patton said Nagaland had emerged as a peaceful destination for tourism, culture, investment, entrepreneurship and international engagement, which have become important sources of employment and livelihood, particularly for the youth.

The resolution noted that events such as the Hornbill Festival, the state's "Land of Festivals" initiative and other tourism and cultural programmes had helped project Nagaland and India's cultural diversity internationally while creating economic opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs.

However, the continuation of the PAP regime had created impediments to international tourism, investment, business engagement, cultural exchange and international partnerships in the state, it said.

The resolution said the state government remained committed to national security and was prepared to ensure the registration, regulation and monitoring of foreign nationals through modern technology and institutional mechanisms in coordination with the Centre and its agencies.

It said the demand for withdrawal or relaxation of the PAP regime had been repeatedly raised by the state government, civil society organisations, tribal bodies, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other sections of Naga society.

The resolution appealed to the Centre to consider Nagaland's peaceful environment, developmental aspirations, economic potential and the aspirations of its youth for greater opportunities and participation in India's growth.

The assembly said regulatory arrangements that had "outlived their developmental relevance" should not become barriers to economic opportunity, employment generation and Nagaland's participation in the national and global economy.

Earlier, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, Industries and Commerce Advisor Hekani Jakhalu and MLA Naiba Konyak participated in the discussion on the resolution.

They said Nagaland was currently peaceful and its situation was different from that of some other northeastern states where the PAP had been imposed.

Rio urged the Centre to take into account the peaceful environment prevailing in Nagaland, the aspirations of its people, the importance of tourism and investment to the state's economy and the hopes of its youth.

Assuring the Centre that Nagaland remained committed to national security, peace and stability, Rio said, "Security and development can go together. Progress and responsibility can go together. Openness and national interest can go together."

"Nagaland seeks peace. Nagaland seeks progress. Nagaland seeks investment. Nagaland seeks greater opportunities for youth. Nagaland seeks to welcome genuine visitors, partners and friends from India and across the world," he said.

The resolution was subsequently put to a vote by Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and adopted unanimously.