Some of those who voted yes had this to say:
• Big Yes! This RAP must be done away with from Nagaland. This RAP is also one of the best reason to proof human rights violations against the Naga people by the GOI and its agencies. That’s why GOI want to continue to impose RAP, thinking that foreign national will expose its war crime.
• Yes, RAP for foreign national should be lifted from Nagaland. Why GOI is so much afraid of international tourists visiting Nagaland and Naga areas? This clearly proofs that Indo-Naga conflict is not internal or law and order problem. GOI is afraid of exposing its war crime against the Naga people for more than the last 50 years.
• I dont understand why this should stay, when our neighbor states are exempted from this law.
• What's the use when the Law Makers are the violators in letting the non- citizens influx in large numbers here in our place. Why for the Whites only???? & Why let the Others???? Is it because they look like Indians!!!! Huh' Oh!! Nagas Where are we Heading to??!!!
• RAP is like a wall between Nagaland and the rest of the world. It is also very annoying for those whose wife or husband is a foreigner. If not, what does this RAP help?
• That will make the easy flow of tourist to Nagaland and boost our economy
• Whats the point of frisking others from other places just because they r in Nagaland? Is Nagaland too good to have security alarms from these foreigners?
• When there are already thousands of foreign nationals from Bangladesh settled permanently, what's the point in of having RAP.
• off course it should be! Its also one of the reason why Nagaland is not develop.
• If the foreigners on business or pleasure visit find RAP an obstacle in the way of entering the land of festivals, then this Act which is apparently outdated needs to be updated by making necessary amendments or give a serious thought on it provided the post RAP era doesn’t have a negative impact on our indigenous way of life. As long as a free flow of information is there then why not movement too? Central or state govt ought to apply the same yardstick to them. Besides if they really want to promote tourism industry, better way to begin with the development of tourism infrastructure is to do away with this stringent Act of RAP which is a big hurdle to foreign nationals wanting to come to the state as tourists or other purposes. Thus it would be a good idea for the govt to bring up this key issue in the next assembly session for debating and initiate a piece of legislation for the good of foreign guests in the state and its hospitable Nagas.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• I dont think the Naga mentality is prepared to face the consequences of RAP being lifted from Nagaland. If the RAP is lifted, there will be social and cultural consequences and I feel that we Nagas have not really understood its implications. A time will come when RAP should be lifted, but that time is not now.
• We are Nagas and no one should be allowed before we are independent!!!
• No, God forbid! Even now our land is flooded with unsavory illegal immigrants, so imagine the day RAP is lifted, we’ll become timid refugees in our own homeland.
• Nagaland has already become a land of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and India. If the RAP is lifted, this will only cause more problems and will lead to havoc. Even with the ILP and RAP in operation the government agencies are unable to keep control and implement the ILP and RAP effectively. But atleast with RAP there is a mechanism to check the entry of foreign nationals. I wish the government would effectively use the RAP to check the Miahs and other illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Without the RAP and ILP, Nagaland will get worse. Today the Miahs are controlling the chicken market, tomorrow they will be controlling your lives. Nagaland should learn from Mizoram. The Naga people should first develop Nagaland and then we can talk about inviting foreigners to visit Nagaland without RAP. Nagaland is under serious threat, we are losing our land, culture, identity, our economy and everything. Its time Nagas took control of Nagaland.
• We know that our land had become land of mias. If rap is lifted the situation will be more grievous and in no time we will not be able to live in our sweet home Nagaland.
• Nagas are not ready for tourism in a big scale yet. If RAP is lifted, this will cause a lot of social problems. I feel that Nagaland will become another Thailand and this will lead to much more difficult issues.
• If RAP has to be lifted, then ILP be also removed. The purpose of both these permits is same, to protect the interests of the Nagas.
• No, the RAP should not be lifted. But the system for issuing RAP should be more systematic and user friendly. There needs to be proper guidelines in the RAP application process and foreign nationals who are genuinely wanting to learn and study Naga culture should be provided another form of RAP which will allow them to stay longer than the allotted time.
• Complete lifting of Restricted Area Permit, RAP should not/never be done nor contemplated. This should be rather strengthened for our future generations and identity. We pride ourselves as Nagas, but take a closer look at our cities, if it can be called one, particularly Dimapur and Kohima, and even far flung towns and district headquarters, its full of foreigners of Indian origin and Bangladeshis, Miyas, doing brisk, as well as all sleazy business. They have already diluted the Naga identity by marrying local girls. This is a serious matter and the respective tribes should take note and not entertain or give ST status to the offspring of such unions, for as per our customary law, once a girl is married off to someone other than her tribe, she has no claim over the clan/tribe, etc whatsoever. Are the authorities seriously thinking and planning for the future of the Nagas with a clear mind and vision? If RAP is lifted, just imagine, the Nagas will be overrun by the greedy moneyed Indians within a day. Therefore RAP should rather be strengthened and its lifting should never be thought of. Coming to tourism industry, certain relaxations can be put in place, which are tourist friendly and which can help monitor and check their activities within the area of their travel.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• I want the RAP to be lifted so that the world can come to Nagaland and see the beauty of its people and land. They will also get to understand why Naga people have been fighting for independence for so long. On the other hand, I dont want RAP to be lifted, because Nagas are naive and simple-minded and can easily be taken advantage of. I dont think Nagas are ready for what will happen if RAP to be lifted. I think Nagas will lose their culture and identity if RAP is lifted.
• Instead of lifting RAP, the red tapism and bureaucratic hassles involved in applying for RAP must be removed.
• Rather than lifting the RAP for good from Nagaland it would be better if RAP is amended and the process of procuring RAP is changed. There are some positive aspects by continuing with RAP, but there are also a number of negative aspects. The Nagaland state government must be the nodal point for issuing all RAP. The central government should not have any say on RAP unless in matters concerning national security. The criteria for applying for RAP like a group of 4 people, only for 10 days, must be changed. RAP while it should be there to protect the culture of the people, it should also be friendly enough to invite foreigners into our land.
