Imphal: The Ministry of Home Affairs has invited the United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur’s apex Naga body, for talks in New Delhi on August 26.
The talks aim to address the escalating tensions surrounding the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the ongoing fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border.
The invitation was extended by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (North East) to the Ministry of Home Affairs, to UNC president Ng Lorho.
This development follows the UNC’s growing concern over the Centre’s decision to halt the Free Movement Regime and proceed with border fencing. The council argues that these actions will devastate the longstanding social, cultural, and economic bonds among Naga communities living on both sides of the international boundary.
Notably, a UNC delegation met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on August 16 to press its concerns on the two issues.
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During the meeting, UNC leaders emphasized that the border measures threaten to sever Naga families and villages, disrupting traditional movement, livelihoods, and cross-border community ties.
The UNC had previously issued an ultimatum to the central government, demanding immediate attention to their grievances.
Naga groups in Manipur have been vocal in their opposition to the Centre’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border, especially in Naga-majority areas, and its move to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
Manipur shares a 398-kilometer stretch of the 1,643-kilometer-long international boundary with Myanmar.
The upcoming meeting in New Delhi is scheduled to bring together representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for direct negotiations.
