Kohima, Nov 29: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the immediate clearance of Protected Area Permit (PAP) applications for international delegates ahead of the 26th Hornbill Festival, scheduled to begin on December 1. This is Rio’s second request this month, following an earlier letter sent on November 18.

The chief minister reiterated the state’s longstanding demand to lift the PAP regime, which currently restricts foreign visitors from entering certain sensitive areas in India. The Hornbill Festival, coinciding with Nagaland’s State Commemoration Day, is a major cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors and contributes to the state’s economy through tourism, employment, and allied services.

This year’s festival will host delegates from six partner countries, participating in cultural presentations, business roundtables, and networking events. Despite preparations being complete, pending PAP clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs have raised concerns, with only a few days remaining.

Rio urged the Union Home Minister’s personal intervention to expedite the issuance of permits and highlighted that easing PAP restrictions would boost tourism, simplify travel, and reinforce Nagaland’s integration with the rest of India.