Says restrictions imposed in December 2024 have affected tourism and investment; lauds Modi’s leadership and seeks support for major development projects
The Nagaland Cabinet has renewed its appeal to the Centre to lift the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the State, stating that its reimposition in December 2024 has adversely affected tourism and investment.
At its meeting on October 10, the Cabinet expressed hope that the Central Government would positively consider the State’s repeated requests to withdraw the regime. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has also unanimously adopted a resolution appealing to the Centre to withdraw the PAP regime and restore the earlier relaxation.
The appeal was part of a resolution in which the Cabinet congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government and expressed appreciation for his commitment to inclusive development and the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047.
The Cabinet said the ceasefire and ongoing peace process had contributed to peace, stability and tranquillity in Nagaland over the years. It noted that tourism had grown into an increasingly important sector of the State’s economy, providing livelihoods and employment, particularly for young people, but said the PAP regime had adversely affected the sector and investment.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the Centre’s role in efforts to resolve the Naga political issue, citing the 2015 Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the 2017 Agreed Position with the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups as important milestones in the pursuit of a negotiated settlement.
It welcomed the appointment of Ajit Lal as the Government of India’s interlocutor for the peace talks and the decision to constitute a team led by a Minister or a group of Ministers, describing the steps as evidence of a commitment to an early, honourable and mutually acceptable solution.
On the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland, the Cabinet referred to the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, by the Centre, the State Government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). The FNTA Bill was introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 1 and unanimously passed on September 3.
The Cabinet also highlighted a tripartite memorandum of understanding signed on June 11 by the governments of India, Assam and Nagaland to facilitate oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Disputed Area Belt along the Nagaland-Assam border. The agreement is intended to encourage investment, employment and revenue generation.
Among the projects cited as having benefited from Central support were the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Kohima, the commissioning of the railway station at Shokhuvi and the ongoing extension of the railway line to Zubza, as well as the four-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway.
The Cabinet also listed several proposals being pursued by the State Government, including the Foothill Road project, an airport at Ciethu in Kohima, four short landing strips, an Indian Institute of Technology and a greenfield AIIMS at Nagaki city in the Chathe valley of Chümoukedima district.
Other proposals include a modern incubation facility at Nagaki city, development of the Tizu-Zungki waterways and three hydropower projects – the 42 MW Lower Tizu, 24 MW Zungki and 24 MW Tizu Valley hydroelectric projects.
The Cabinet appreciated the Centre’s support for these proposals, noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs had been coordinating with different Central ministries and the State Government to advance them.
It also lauded national initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Digital India, the Scheme for Special Assistance for Capital Investment and the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), citing their contribution to sanitation, digital services, infrastructure and development in the Northeast.
