Imphal, December 19 2010: As part of a global online signature campaign demanding the centre to remove the Protected Area Permit (PAP) from Manipur, a group of social activists of the State on Sunday held a motor rally-cum-awareness campaign at Imphal.

Interestingly Manipur Tourism Minister TN Haokip and Irrigation and Flood Control Minister N Biren Singh also signed the petition initiated by the Manipur Association for Canada.

PAP restricts the visit of foreigners to Manipur.

It also restricts even the overseas Manipuris born in India who wish to visit their home State.

Addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram, the petition said "Remove the PAP system from Manipur to allow unrestricted entry of foreign visitors and overseas Manipuris of Indian origin to Manipur with an aim of giving a fair chance to the people in the region to meaningfully participate in India's development programmes involving foreign investment, international trade and tourism etc" .

The petition while pointing out the purpose of imposing the PAP as stated by the Home Ministry is protection of culture of the people in certain parts of the country, questioned as how foreigners visiting Manipur for business or as tourist can harm to Manipuris while no Indians have come to harm ?" .

In spite of its beauty, natural resources and vivacious people Manipur had to witness a general decline in value system among its populace during the past four decades of its socio-political strife, it said.

"Perhaps a paradigm shift may be required in India's development approach in the north east region from the subsidy dispensing mode to a capacity building one .

Removal of PAP is one essential step in this line," added the petition.

Headed by social worker RK Shivachandra, the local activists under the banner of Local Support Group in Removal of PAP (LOSGRO) Manipur, besides distributing pamphlets on the matter also held street corner meetings at various places including Khongnanganikarak, Singjamei and Kwakeithel.

Stating that entry of foreigners and investors and tourists has been restricted under the PAP culminating in halting all developmental fronts, Shivachandra termed the act as a 'silent killer' .

"This being the case, the act should be removed from the state and tourism industry should be developed," Shivachandra said adding that the campaign will cover in all districts of the state to ensure the people stand up and shout in unison against the PAP.

On Friday ministers N Biren and TN Haokip signed the petition on the sidelines of the inauguration of a park at Laphupokpi village in the foothills of Baruni in Imphl East.

Both of them also vowed to extend their fullest operation in removing the act in future.

Biren, who said the state government is against PAP, said it triggered negative effects to the general public.

Echoing Biren, tourism minister Haokip said he has been urging the centre for removing the act since 1990 .

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