The Nagaland government on Wednesday renewed its appeal to the Central government to reconsider its decision on limiting the Free Movement Regime (FMR) to a 10 km radius along the Indo-Myanmar border and the re-imposition of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in the state.
Speaking to reporters, minister and state government spokesperson K.G. Kenye expressed concerns over the new restrictions, emphasizing that they fail to account for Nagaland’s unique historical and geopolitical context. The FMR, introduced to facilitate cross-border trade and movement for residents along the Indo-Myanmar border, originally allowed movement within a 16 km radius. The Centre’s recent decision to limit this radius to 10 km has raised apprehensions among stakeholders in Nagaland.
“While we respect the government’s security concerns, we believe that Nagaland’s situation is unique and requires a different approach,” Kenye stated, adding that the state government has yet to receive an official response from the Centre on its request for a review.
Kenye highlighted Nagaland’s distinct position in the Northeast, both historically and politically, and stressed that its concerns warrant special consideration.
“Nagaland is the political nerve centre of the entire Northeast, and it serves as an epicentre for many aspects of life for the states and people in this region,” he explained.
He urged the Centre to take into account the region’s historical significance and socio-political context, stating, “We feel for the other regions around us, but Nagaland’s situation is a completely different story. We hope the Centre will take our sentiments into account and not dismiss them outright.”
The minister also raised concerns over the re-imposition of PAP in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, which was reinstated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in December 2024 after being revoked in December 2021. PAP, initially implemented in the 1960s, was lifted to ease travel restrictions for foreign nationals. However, the MHA cited security concerns as the reason for its re-introduction.
Kenye warned that the re-imposition of PAP could have a detrimental impact on Nagaland’s burgeoning tourism industry, particularly the Hornbill Festival, which attracts international visitors. “Restrictions like PAP could diminish the inflow of international tourists, adversely affecting events like the Hornbill Festival,” he said.
While acknowledging the Centre’s security concerns, Kenye argued for a more optimistic and inclusive approach that avoids further isolating the region. He emphasized the importance of fostering people-to-people contact as a means to promote development and integration in the Northeast. (With PTI inputs)