Imphal: Several Naga organisations in Manipur have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately stop the construction of fencing along the India-Myanmar border and reinstate the Free Movement Regime (FMR), warning of intensified protests if their demands are not met within 20 days.
The appeal was submitted to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday by representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights-South (NPMHR-S).
In an official statement, the Raj Bhavan confirmed the meeting, noting that the delegation expressed concern over the impact of the border fencing and changes to the FMR on Naga communities residing in the hill areas.
Governor Bhalla assured the representatives that their grievances would be looked into.
The Naga groups strongly opposed the Centre’s move to revoke the FMR and accelerate border fencing along the international boundary with Myanmar, saying such steps disregard the traditional ties of hill communities straddling the border.
The organisations also highlighted ongoing protests, including picketing of government offices and rallies across Naga-inhabited districts in Manipur’s hill areas.
In their memorandum, the groups issued a 20-day ultimatum, demanding the withdrawal of the December 2024 notification that restricts cross-border movement under the revised FMR.
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The new guidelines limit movement to 10 km from the border and require a short-term “border pass.”
Under the original FMR, members of hill tribes living within 16 km on either side of the India-Myanmar border could travel freely across the boundary using a pass valid for one year and stay for up to two weeks per visit.
The groups argue that revoking this regime undermines centuries-old ethnic and cultural linkages
