Nagaland CM seeks special travel permit exemption for foreigners

Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland’s Chief Minister. File

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has requested the Centre to allow foreign nationals to visit the State without a Protected Area Permit (PAP). The PAP is a special travel document required to enter sensitive border and tribal regions in India.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 13, he said the existing 10-day PAP relaxation allocated for the Hornbill Festival is insufficient to support tourism, trade, and investment in the State.

Mr. Rio welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to relax the PAP requirement from December 1 to 10 for the festival every year. “However, the limited window does not address the State’s wider tourism and economic needs,” he said.

The Chief Minister sought PAP exemption from November 15 to December 15 for the Hornbill Festival, pointing out that foreign tourists often arrive before the event and stay beyond its conclusion to explore Nagaland.

He said a 10-day exemption creates logistical difficulties for foreign visitors, tour operators, travel agencies, and hospitality businesses, limiting the potential economic gains from tourism.

Mr. Rio also urged the Ministry to extend PAP exemptions to foreign investors, corporate representatives, business delegations, and their accompanying family members visiting Nagaland for commercial engagements, as well as foreign athletes, professional players, coaches, technical officials, and team management participating in sporting events.