Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met representatives of the United Naga Council (UNC) on Saturday to discuss concerns over the ongoing India-Myanmar border fencing and the recent decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), both of which the council strongly opposes.
According to an official statement from Raj Bhavan, the UNC delegation expressed its reservations regarding the border security measures and urged the Governor to raise the matter with the Centre.
The statement said Bhalla assured the delegation that the issue had already been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs and appealed to the council to maintain peace and exercise restraint while dialogue continues.
UNC president Ng Lorho said the governor emphasised the need for central representatives to be involved in discussions, given that the border issue falls under the Union government’s domain.
Bhalla assured that he would facilitate a dialogue between the Centre and the UNC soon.
Lorho reiterated that the UNC’s opposition to border fencing and the withdrawal of the FMR remains unchanged. He added that both sides agreed to meet again for the next round of talks within three days.
Naga groups have consistently voiced their concerns, arguing that border fencing and the removal of the FMR would disrupt the social and cultural fabric of communities split by the India-Myanmar boundary.
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The FMR, introduced in 2018 under India’s Act East policy, allowed members of hill tribes living within 16 km of the border on either side to cross over with a one-year border pass and stay for up to two weeks per visit.
In February this year, the government announced the scrapping of the regime, citing internal security concerns and the need to preserve the demographic balance of the Northeastern states.
Last December, the guidelines had already been tightened, limiting cross-border movement to just 10 km.
