Imphal, October 30 2008: A NEW more strict guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs regarding entry of foreigners in the area declared as protected will be enforced in the state of Manipur with effect from November 1 next, an order of the state Home Department issued on October 17 said.

The stricter guidelines of the MHA which would be followed in the state stated that foreign national less than four in numbers will not be granted protected area permit, PAP without prior clearance of the ministry of home affairs.

It also said that after the enforcement of the new guidelines, if the foreigners wanted to stay beyond the permitted period of 10 days, they should obtain prior clearance from the MHA for extension of their stay in the state and visit of places outside the permitted areas will also be not allowed, it added.

Mention may be made that as per the guidelines issued by the ministry of home affairs, New Delhi issued on June 18, 2004, all foreigners have to obtain protected areas permit, PAP from the competent authorities before entering Manipur state which has been declared as protected area under the foreigners (protected areas) protected areas order, 1958 by the ministry of home affairs.

under the order MHA also delegated limited powers to the state home department and the state government considering the existing law and order situation in the state has been decided that the guidelines issued by the ministry of home affairs be followed strictly from November 1 next.

Comment