Nagaland Police Issue Stern Warning Over Protected Area Permit Violations
Police authorities in Dimapur have raised serious concerns about foreign nationals persistently visiting Nagaland without obtaining the mandatory Protected Area Permit (PAP), despite repeated warnings and extensive publicity campaigns across various media platforms.
Withdrawal of Relaxation and Current Requirements
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Dimapur Commissioner of Police and Foreigners Registration Officer Aotula T Imchen clarified that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has completely withdrawn the earlier relaxation granted under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. This significant policy change was implemented through circular no. 602 on December 17, 2024, primarily citing growing security concerns in Nagaland's border regions.
All foreign nationals planning to visit Nagaland must now secure a Protected Area Permit from designated authorities. These include the Ministry of Home Affairs, Indian missions abroad, Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs), the Nagaland Home Commissioner, the Resident Commissioner (Government of Nagaland, New Delhi), and the Secretary of Tourism in Kohima.
Special Requirements for Specific Nationalities
The police statement provided crucial clarification regarding visitors from certain countries:
- Citizens of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan, along with foreign nationals of origin from these countries, will continue to require prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before visiting Nagaland.
- Similarly, prior MHA approval remains mandatory for granting Protected Area Permits to citizens of Myanmar.
Registration and Application Procedures
All foreign visitors entering Nagaland are legally required to register with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of their entry district within 24 hours of arrival. To streamline travel arrangements and prevent unnecessary delays, authorities strongly recommend processing all applications through the official e-FRRO portal.
Compliance Instructions for Stakeholders
The Dimapur police have issued specific instructions to various entities and individuals involved in facilitating foreign visits:
- General public and organizations
- Government departments at all levels
- Travel agents and tour operators
- Hotels, guest houses, homestays, and paying guest facilities
- Any other entities assisting with foreign national visits or accommodation
All these stakeholders must strictly verify that foreign nationals possess valid Protected Area Permits before arranging any travel or providing accommodation within Nagaland. This compliance is essential to maintain security protocols and regulatory adherence throughout the state.
The persistent violations despite repeated advisories indicate a concerning gap between regulatory requirements and visitor compliance, prompting authorities to reinforce these critical security measures through this latest public statement.
