Manipur asks Centre to ease permit rules for Indian-origin tourists

Manipur wants the Centre to relax Protected Area Permit (PAP) rules for foreign nationals of Indian origin so they can visit tourist spots in the Imphal valley, the state's Tourism Commissioner Kheda Varta Singh said on the sidelines of the 14th International Tourism Mart in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Speaking to PTI, as reported by India Today NE, Singh said the Union Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs could jointly look at exempting identified, non-sensitive tourist locations in the valley from the permit requirement.

Why Manipur is asking

Singh said 70 to 80 per cent of Manipur's important tourist sites are in the valley, where he said the situation had "almost returned to normal". Security concerns were now largely limited to remote parts of the northern hill districts, he said, though he acknowledged that violence had not ended completely.

In his presentation at the tourism conclave, he listed regional unrest as a major problem: it led to travel advisories, kept casual tourists away and restricted movement between districts.

The numbers show the damage. Manipur received about 1.6 lakh tourists in 2022-23, including roughly 5,400 foreigners, but total footfall dropped to around 30,000 in 2025-26, according to figures he shared.

What is proposed

• PAP exemption for specific locations assessed as non-sensitive
• a simpler clearance process, or powers for local authorities and the tourism department to issue PAPs to verified, low-risk applicants
• family visits by people of Indian origin to approved destinations

Singh said Manipur's border with Myanmar meant security had to be considered. The tourism department will first take the idea to the state government's top leadership before approaching the Centre.

Signs of a return

He pointed to a Korean delegation that stayed in the state from October 19 to 24, and said a Japanese delegation is due from November 1 to 7, including a visit to the Japanese War Memorial. Valley attractions he listed include Loktak Lake, the 122-foot polo statue and a memorial to the 1891 Anglo-Manipur war. He also expects a boost once the railway reaches Imphal, which he said is planned for 2028.

Tawang mart wraps up

The main sessions of the Tawang mart ended on Friday. The Union Tourism Ministry said 43 international buyers from 22 countries, 42 domestic buyers from 16 states and Union territories and 81 sellers took part, holding 1,580 business-to-business meetings, The Times of India reported. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat chaired a meeting of Northeast tourism ministers where simplified restricted area permit requirements were among the topics presented.