5 months ago
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Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed to the Centre for lifting the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime from the State, maintaining that Nagaland indispensable beryllium treated otherwise based connected crushed realities.
Speaking astatine the 'Nagaland United: A Gathering of Faith, Hope and Revival' held astatine Indira Gandhi Stadium successful Kohima connected Sunday (November 30, 2025), Mr. Rio said that overseas dignitaries, including evangelist Franklin Graham, proceed to look difficulties arsenic PAP clearances are not issued connected time.
Mr. Graham was expected to beryllium the main talker astatine the programme and besides be the inaugural league of the 10-day Hornbill Festival, which volition commencement connected Monday. But helium could not be the programme aft his question documentation and clearance were delayed.
PAP is simply a question papers required by foreigners to sojourn definite delicate areas successful the country.
Mr. Rio had connected November 18 and 28 written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting aboriginal clearance of visas for overseas tourists, and urging that the PAP authorities for Nagaland beryllium lifted permanently, which was reimposed from December past year.
The CM said that though the Centre has relaxed the PAP request for Nagaland from December 1 to 10 to facilitate the Hornbill Festival, the impermanent measurement "does not lick the larger issue".
He said the authorities Cabinet reviewed the substance successful January, and respective representations were sent to the Centre since the re-imposition of PAP connected December 17 for Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.
"The State authorities volition proceed to prosecute the substance for implicit and imperishable lifting of the PAP authorities for Nagaland. Our authorities deserves to beryllium treated differently, based connected the world connected the ground," Mr. Rio asserted.
Welcoming Rev Robert Cunville of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), Mr. Rio recalled the historical 1972 'Billy Graham Crusade' astatine Khuochiezie, which helium had attended arsenic a youth.
He lauded Mr. Cunville's long-standing Ministry successful the Northeast and extended lukewarm greetings to the visiting BGEA team, asking them to convey Nagaland’s goodwill to Franklin Graham.
The Chief Minister besides appreciated the KBPF, NBCC and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum for organising the programme.
Emphasising unity, Mr. Rio urged citizens to uphold bid and coexistence, recalling however the gospel and acquisition transformed Naga nine from a past of struggle to a assemblage anchored successful religion and progress.
As the festive play approaches, helium called for renewed committedness to brotherhood, harmony and fellowship.
Delivering a almighty gospel message, Mr. Cunville urged believers to intermission from the satellite and perceive to God's voice.
Thousands of radical from each property groups filled the stadium, joining successful worship, supplication and reflection during the peculiar revival service.
