Aizawl: The Mizoram government is advancing efforts to implement the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system, a travel regulation requiring foreigners to secure permission before visiting certain sensitive areas, according to a senior home department official.
The move follows a directive from the Central Government to reintroduce PAP in Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland—three northeastern states bordering Myanmar.
Mizoram Home Secretary Vanlalmawia confirmed that steps are underway, including setting up a designated holding area at Lengpui Airport as instructed by the Union Home Ministry.
“We are actively working on implementing the PAP system. Additionally, we have requested the Centre to establish a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Aizawl to simplify the registration process for foreign visitors. Currently, the nearest FRRO is in Kolkata,” Vanlalmawia stated.
The PAP system, also referred to as the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), applies to specific regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
In 2011, the Central Government relaxed PAP requirements in Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland to promote tourism, exempting all foreigners except those from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China.
This relaxation was periodically extended and was set to remain valid until December 2027.
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However, amid rising security concerns and an influx of individuals from neighbouring countries, the Ministry of Home Affairs reinstated PAP requirements in December 2024.
Authorities are particularly focused on regulating foreign movement due to reports of foreigners using Mizoram as a transit route to Myanmar for alleged military training of pro-democracy groups.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma previously highlighted these security concerns, emphasising the need for tighter control over foreign entry into the state.
