SAFF U-19 football championship faces permit crisis in Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: With only two days remaining for the official commencement of the SAFF U-19 football championship in Arunachal Pradesh, concerns have arisen about the seamless organisation of the six-nation tournament due to the absence of a ‘Protected Area Permit’ (PAP) or ‘Restricted Area Permit’ (RAP) document. This mandatory official paper is required for entry into the north-eastern state by visiting foreigners, including the participating teams.Hosts India are drawn alongside Nepal and Sri Lanka in Group B of the event, while Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh form Group A.The championship – the third edition of the regional U-19 men’s tournament – is scheduled to be played at the Golden Jubilee stadium in Arunachal’s Yupia from May 9 to 18. However, it’s been learnt that the organisers of the event are still awaiting the PAP/RAP clearance, so that the visiting teams can enter the state.While sources in the central govt say some state authorities who have been delegated the powers to issue a PAP/RAP can provide the same at their end, the state officials have instead been putting the onus on the Centre – primarily the ministry of home affairs (MHA), ministry of external affairs (MEA) and ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS) – to issue the document for the smooth conduct of the tournament.Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, issued by MHA, all areas falling between the ‘Inner line’ and the International Border of the state have been declared as Protected Area, which include the whole of Arunachal. All foreigners visiting the state will have to first register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the state within 24 hours of their arrival.After that, the foreigners – in this case the visiting teams – are required to obtain a PAP/RAP from a competent authority to enter or visit a ‘Protected/Restricted Area’ (for playing the SAFF tournament in Arunachal), without which they won’t be allowed to compete.