The Union Home Ministry has directed police and security agencies in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur to “keep a close watch on the activities of the foreigners visiting these States.”
In a circular dated December 17, addressed to the Chief Secretaries of these States bordering Myanmar, the Ministry emphasized the need for State governments to “strengthen their mechanism to monitor the activities of foreigners.”
The circular, according to The Hindu, stated that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and police authorities should monitor foreigners closely and “if anything adverse is found, appropriate action may be taken under relevant Acts including Foreigners Act.”
The circular also announced the withdrawal of the relaxation under the Protected Area Regime (PAR) for the three States. This relaxation, in effect since 2010, had allowed foreigners to visit without a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for tourism or other purposes. The exemption, which had been in place since 1958, was extended in 2022 and was set to last until December 31, 2027. However, the Home Ministry said it reviewed the matter “in the backdrop of growing security concerns in border areas of these States.”
The Ministry clarified that PAPs or special permits will now only be processed digitally via the e-FRRO portal to “facilitate the travel of bonafide foreigners and to avoid delays in granting the PAP/RAP (Restricted Area Permits).” It added, “No physical PAP/RAP permits shall be issued.” Any pending physical applications will be integrated into the e-FRRO portal through coordination between State governments and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
The FRRO, functioning under the Home Ministry, uses a centralized platform to track the movement of foreigners in the country. The Ministry urged State governments to sensitize all relevant authorities about the new directives, stating, “These instructions may please be brought to the notice of all concerned for compliance with immediate effect.”
The circular emphasized that all foreigners intending to visit the three States “shall mandatorily obtain PAP from the authorities to whom powers have been delegated.”
On December 18, the Manipur government issued a press statement explaining that PAR was reimposed due to “growing security concerns arising out of influx from neighbouring countries.”
Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, which began on May 3, 2023. The conflict has claimed over 250 lives and displaced around 60,000 people.
(With inputs from The Hindu)