Govt lifts PAP in three NE states

NEW DELHI: In a New Year gift to Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, the government has decided to do way with the requirement of Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreigners visiting the three states.

The three north-eastern states were excluded from the Protected Area Regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2011. However, the foreign nationals entering Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland would still be required to register themselves with the foreigners registration officer (FRO) of the district they visit, within 24 hours of their arrival.

Incidentally, the citizens of some countries, primarily Pakistan and China, would still be required to seek prior approval of the Union home ministry before visiting any of the three north-eastern states.

Also, foreign visitors would still need to apply for PAP to visit Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian Missions/Posts have also been authorised to issue missionary visa to foreign missionaries visiting these three States as per the extant guidelines of the government.

While doing away with the PAP for foreign visitors to the state is unlikely to boost international tourist arrivals in a major way, the move is expected to go a long way in addressing the feeling of alienation among the people of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.