Five prominent organisations of Mizoram including Central Young Mizo Association (C-YMA), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), the women umbrella body of Mizoram, Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP), the senior citizen association of the state and the Joint Churches Committee have expressed their opposition to the lifting of Protected Area Permit (PAP) by the Centre from Mizoram. The PAP was lifted from Mizoram on December 30 last.
In a joint meeting held in MHIP office in Aizawl on Tuesday, the five influential organisations of Mizoram regreted that the PAP was lifted from the state without consulting the people of Mizoram. The NGOs also agreed to submit a memorandum to the Centre to demand revocation of the lifting order. The meeting proposed holding of protest rally soon. The MZP has been asked to take initiative and its proposals will be discussed for approval by the joint committee. The meeting was presided over MZP president, VL Krosshnezova. The organisations in its press statement expressed fear that the lifting of PAP would ultimately lead to the lifting of the Inner Line Permit/Regulation that safeguards the Mizo tribals from assimilation.
Mentionably, there had been an attempt to lift the PAP from Mizoram in 1994 which invited strong opposition from all political parties and NGOs in Mizoram. Earlier, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), an apex students body in Mizoram had said that while many Indians have been complaining about the requirement of a permit to Mizoram, the relaxation of entry permit for foreigners will certainly result in yet another litigation to do away with the Inner Line Permit/Regulation under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the PAP is enforced in some parts of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Sikkim and the entire states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Similarly, the RAP, under Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, is enforced in the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In Sikkim, the RAP covers areas uncovered by the PAP