The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram, citing “growing security concerns arising out of the influx from neighboring countries,” the Manipur government stated on Wednesday. According to The Hindu, the move comes after a 14-year gap, requiring foreigners visiting these states to seek prior permission and special permits from the government.
According to Ministry guidelines, a foreigner is not encouraged to visit protected areas unless there are “extraordinary reasons to justify a visit”.
As per The Hindu report, on Tuesday, the Ministry wrote to the Chief Secretaries of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland regarding the changed norms for the PAR under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. The letter said the relaxation provided to Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland under the PAR had been “withdrawn with immediate effect” and henceforth, the entire areas of these States would again fall under the PAR. The relaxation was given earlier to promote tourism.
The PAR was initially relaxed for a year in 2010 in the three States bordering Myanmar and subsequently the duration of the order was extended for five years. The latest PAR order was issued on December 16, 2022 and was valid till December 2027, an official said.
The Manipur government said in a press statement that the PAR had been reimposed in the three States. “With this reimposition, the movement of foreigners visiting Manipur will be closely monitored, and they are required to obtain the necessary Protected Area Permits (PAP) in accordance with the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958,” it said.
The statement said that no such organization called “Kuki-Zo Council” existed in Manipur, claiming that the “origin and authenticity of this group are highly questionable”.
“There is no district by the name Lamka, mentioned as a headquarters in Manipur. This raises strong suspicions regarding the external origins of such organizations that appear to operate outside legal and administrative framework,” it said.
The State government urged national and local media houses to refrain from giving publicity to such press releases from unauthorized organizations or individuals. It also appealed to the “Central government and its agencies to disregard such claims from unverified organizations”.
The new group comprising members of the Kuki-Zo community had on Tuesday warned Chief Minister N Biren Singh to not travel by road via the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi to inaugurate a festival in Senapati district, a Naga-dominated area.
The statement further added that the police were actively looking into the matter and an FIR would be lodged to ascertain the true nature and intent behind such misleading activities.
“The people of Manipur are urged to exercise caution and not to pay heed to statements or claims from organizations of dubious origins, which have been surfacing recently with the apparent intention of creating confusion and unrest,” the statement said.
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