Dr Rio writes to Shah for review of PAP in Nagaland

Nagaland chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to review the re-imposed Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, reports DIPR. In his letter addressed to Shah, Rio pointed out that the Ministry of Home Affairs reinstated the PAP on December 17, 2024, for Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram citing border security concerns, effectively ending the conditional exclusion these states had enjoyed since 2010.
While acknowledging that instability in Manipur and the refugee influx in Mizoram likely triggered the Centre’s decision, Dr. Rio argued that Nagaland’s situation is “vastly different.” He asserted that the state is enjoying its most peaceful period since statehood with no internal security concerns.
Furthermore, the chief minister emphasized that the Nagaland-Myanmar border remains stable, citing close ethnic ties and a complete absence of refugee ingress, unlike the turbulent borders of its neighboring states.
Deeming the re-imposition unwarranted, Rio recalled flagging the issue at the NEC plenary in Agartala on December 21, 2024, warning of adverse impacts on tourism following a record-breaking 25th Hornbill Festival. The State Cabinet subsequently deliberated on the matter in January 6, 2025 and March 27, 2025, leading to a formal appeal to the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 22, 2025, seeking a review of the decision and the restoration of the previous permit relaxations.
Citing subsequent letters from July 18 and September 10, 2025, Dr. Rio reiterated calls to relax the PAP regime. He highlighted Nagaland’s emergence as a global destination driven by its “Land of Festivals” policy, which has spurred economic growth and youth employment. However, the Chief Minister warned that the restrictive regime now threatens to reverse these achievements and stifle the influx of foreign tourists vital to the state.
Dr. Rio emphasized that with the state historically deprived of private investment, tourism has emerged as the vital engine of economic revival following decades of conflict. He argued that the current PAP regime could stifle this sector by significantly reducing foreign footfall. Furthermore, highlighting the role of Naga artists as global cultural ambassadors, Rio stated that a relaxed permit system would bolster international ties and project India’s rich cultural tapestry through enhanced cultural exchange.
The Chief Minister stressed that the issue has reached a critical point with the globally acclaimed Hornbill Festival 2025 commencing on December 1. He noted that the current PAP regime threatens to deter international visitors, potentially derailing Nagaland’s aspirations to become a premier global tourist destination just weeks before its marquee event. Rio further noted that the administration is under increasing pressure from tourism stakeholders, the education sector, and civil society groups, all of whom have urged the State Government to advocate strongly with the Centre for an immediate relaxation of the permit restrictions.
Rio assured the Centre that the state government would continue enforcing stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and screening protocols, guaranteeing that the promotion of tourism will not compromise national security.