Protected Area Permit extended in NE states

AIZAWL: The Protected Area Permit(PAP) regime, in which foreigners desiring to visit some states are required to have special permit from the union home ministry has been relaxed for yet another year in three NE states with some conditions.

A letter from the Union Home Ministry to Mizoram chief secretary Van Hela Pachuau, today said PAP relaxation was extended for another year from December 31, 2011 in the states of Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland.

Visitors from Afghanistan, Pakistan and China would, however, require prior permission from the union home ministry to visit the three states and those from Myanmar could cross the border and travel upto 16 km with permission from it.

All foreigners visiting the three north eastern states have to report themselves to Foreigners Registration Officers of the respective states within 24 hours and foreign Christian missionaries visiting the states were required to obtain missionary visas, the letter said.