Newmai News Network
Senapati | September 3
The United Naga Council (UNC) on Wednesday announced it will impose a “trade embargo” in all Naga areas under its jurisdiction from midnight of September 8, 2025, until further notice, following failed talks with the Government of India on the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing.
The announcement comes after a meeting of UNC leaders in Senapati, following the collapse of a dialogue held on August 26 in Delhi between an eleven-member Naga team and eight representatives of the Government of India. UNC said the talks reached a deadlock after the government refused to halt ongoing border fencing construction, despite repeated requests.
The UNC statement said the Naga people had raised their concerns over the unilateral abrogation of FMR and imposed border fencing since January 19, 2024, through official memoranda, agitations, demonstrations, public rallies, and press statements. “Yet, the indifferent attitude of the government demands a stringent agitation to register our rigid stance against the scrapping of FMR and imposed border fencing,” it said.
The decision to enforce the trade embargo was taken during a presidential council meeting of UNC on August 11. The council urged all Naga people in Manipur and Naga brethren beyond borders to cooperate with the movement aimed at restoring Naga rights, culture, traditional ties, and a dignified future. The organization also sought understanding and cooperation from the general public.
The Naga team for the August 26 Delhi meeting included the present UNC executives, three former UNC presidents who are members of the UNC Working Committee, and leaders of the Naga Women Union (NWU) and All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM).
UNC had earlier issued a 20-day ultimatum to the government on July 22, which expired on August 11.
