Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 26
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has submitted a memorandum to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting the reversal of the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and halt the construction of border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
In the memorandum, ANSAM expressed concern over the impact of these actions on the Naga people living along the border. The organization highlighted that the current Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) is an "imposed imaginary line," affecting the lives of the local tribal population. ANSAM stated that the reintroduction of the FMR in 2018 allowed border residents to travel up to 16 kilometers on either side without a visa, benefiting their livelihoods.
ANSAM also criticized the government’s decision to scrap the FMR, citing concerns over illegal immigration and insurgency, and called for alternative measures, such as updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and enforcing the Inner Line Permit (ILP). The group argued that the permanent sealing of the border would lead to further hardship for those living on both sides of the border and disrupt long-established social, cultural, and economic ties.
The memorandum also referenced the negative impacts of the border fencing on local communities, pointing out that the artificial border divides families, such as in the case of Longwa in the Konyak area. ANSAM further questioned the logic behind installing fencing along the entire 1,643-kilometer Indo-Myanmar border, suggesting that it would exacerbate existing conflicts rather than resolve them.
Additionally, ANSAM noted that India, as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, should uphold the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain contacts across borders for cultural, spiritual, and economic purposes. The group also warned of potential ecological consequences arising from the border fencing, emphasizing the potential harm to the region's biodiversity.
ANSAM urged the government to reconsider its decision to scrap the FMR and halt the fencing project, warning that such actions could lead to civil unrest in the region. It also expressed concern over the delayed resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue, urging the government to demonstrate political will and sincerity in finding a comprehensive solution based on the Framework Agreement signed in 2015.
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