KOHIMA: In its first meeting of the year today, the Nagaland cabinet resolved to oppose the Union Home Ministry's decision to reinstate the Protected Area Regime in the state.
The cabinet, convening at the Chief Minister's Residential Complex in Kohima, deliberated on the Union Home Ministry's decision to reimpose the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
It has decided to send a letter to the Union Home Ministry, urging that the PAP not be reinstated in Nagaland. A senior cabinet member stated that the decision was made in light of the state's peaceful law and order situation and the lack of any influx of illegal immigrants.
In another significant development, the cabinet has tasked the Eastern Nagaland Legislature’s Union with organizing a meeting with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation to address the demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority.
The meeting is anticipated to occur before the second tripartite talk, set for January 15. Additionally, the cabinet has decided to address the Naga political issue in its next meeting.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland state government is set to request the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign nationals.
Official sources confirmed that the decision to seek relaxation of the travel restrictions was made during a state Cabinet meeting held on January 6. The proposal is aimed at promoting tourism in the state.
In December 2024, the MHA reinstated the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram after a 15-year hiatus.
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