Abolishing Free Movement Regime along Indo-Myanmar border violates Naga people’s rights, says NSCN (IM)

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) on Wednesday voiced a strong opposition to the move of Indian government to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, stating that it violates the Naga people’s rights and further divides them.

In a press release, the NSCN (IM) stated that the Centre’s decision is a reminder of the ‘treacherous division’ of the Nagas by Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and the Burmese Prime Minister U Nu in 1953.

“However, the fact remains that the Nagas have never accepted the arbitrary international boundary demarcation set up by these two prime ministers, and the Nagas living on either side of the so-called international border have remained as one family, defying all the odds. As one family, Nagas need free movement from both sides,” read the press release issued by the NSCN (IM) ministry of information and publicity.

It stated that the Nagas are indigenous people with a high level of political consciousness and cultural and social cohesion, and are fully aware of the irrefutable historical narratives of the Naga nation that transcend the international barriers oppressively created by the Indian and Myanmar governments without consulting the Nagas.

“Such manner of injustice and wrong conduct against the Nagas continues to haunt the Nagas till today,” it said, adding that the cruelty of the boundary demarcation is evident in the way it “runs right through the house of Longwa King in Mon district”.

The NSCN (IM) went on to assert that the Naga political movement came into existence with the avowed stand to defend the historical and political rights of the Naga nation and to put an end to the hegemony of the governments of India and Myanmar in a manner that is acceptable and honourable.

While the Centre took the move on grounds that alleged insurgents from Myanmar, illegal immigrants, and drug traffickers have been misusing the FMR, the NSCN (IM) said the “Nagas themselves would control any illegal immigrant in Naga soil. We will not allow any illegal immigrants in our territory”.

“We are totally against boundary fencing on our lands that violates our rights as one family. Simply put, NSCN will not allow the proposed boundary fencing that further divides the Naga family as a nation,” it added.

Also read: Advisor Imchen comes in open support of scrapping FMR

— Abolishing FMR will exacerbate conflicts in NEFR, says NSF