NLA resolves to appeal Centre to reconsider decision on FMR

KOHIMA — The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Friday resolved to appeal to the Government of India to reconsider its decision on suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The resolution was unanimously adopted on the last day of the fourth session of the 14th NLA, following the discussion on matters of urgent public importance under Rule-50 pertaining to ‘Fencing of Indo-Myanmar Border’ initiated by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on Feb. 29.

During the discussion, the members in unison expressed concern about the Centre’s move and pressed for adoption of a resolution.

On Friday, the resolution was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, who is the minister incharge of Home and Border Affairs, and the house resolved to request the Government of India to work out regulations for movement of people across the borders in close consultation with the people inhabiting the border areas, and for suitably bringing in the village council authorities concerned in the entire system of regulations.

It maintained that the measures to scrap the FMR will cause immense hardship, inconvenience and agony to the Naga people living in the Indo-Myanmar border areas due to the fact that the traditional land holding system straddles across the international border in many areas, and that people have to cross the international border on a daily basis for their normal cultivation activities.

Further, it pointed out that scrapping of the FMR will seriously disrupt the age-old historical, social, tribal, and economic ties of the Naga people living on both sides of the international Indo-Myanmar border.

In view of the special and unique situation mentioned, the house resolved to appeal to the Government of India to reconsider its decision, and to abandon the plan of suspending the FMR and fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.