Guwahati/Kohima
The Centre’s bid to fence the Indo-Myanmar border has run into opposition from the Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), the apex body Angami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma and Zeliang tribes. The five tribes argue that the proposed fencing would severely disrupt cultural ties, hinder economic activities, and disconnect Naga communities.
In a statement, TUN President Kekhwengulo Lea warned that the border fence would isolate communities, obstruct cross-border trade, and limit access to vital services such as education and healthcare. “This fence is not merely a physical barrier; it is an attack on our identity, heritage, and dignity,” Lea said.
The TUN also raised concerns about the historical importance of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which has facilitated cross-border interactions for Naga communities. The union fears that the fencing would sever these vital connections, leading to further social and economic challenges.
The TUN has called on the Central government to reconsider its decision and protect the rights and dignity of the Naga people while safeguarding their ancestral lands. The Union has urged the Naga communities to unite in opposing the border fencing to ensure a secure and prosperous future.
It urged the Central government to reconsider the decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, stressing the importance of safeguarding the ancestral lands and upholding the rights and dignity of the Naga people.
“The Free Movement Regime (FMR) introduced in the 1950s allowed limited cross-border travel, but successive regulations have since curtailed this, severely affecting the Naga communities’ ability to maintain cross-border social, cultural, and economic ties,” Lea said.
The TUN has called on all Naga individuals, communities, and organizations to unite in opposition to the border fencing and to defend the Naga people’s collective future from further division and fragmentation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government announced its decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border in February last year and abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) over security concerns.
The Centre’s decision to fence the border has been opposed by groups in north-eastern states earlier also. Leaders of Kuki Zo council, Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur and Hmar Inpui have raised objection over government’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border. The Mizoram Assembly had passed a resolution opposing the Centre’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and abolish the FMR.
India shares a 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The Central government also announced abolishing FMR that allowed people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other’s territory without any documents. The FMR was implemented in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy.
Fencing work along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur has gathered pace as part of India’s efforts to find a permanent solution to the influx of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country embroiled in a complex civil conflict. Manipur shares 398 km of India’s international border with Myanmar and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has commenced fencing work in the general area of Moreh in the state’s Tengnoupal district.
Mizoram and Nagaland assemblies have adopted resolutions against fencing the border with Myanmar and move to abolish the free movement regime.
Centre’s Reasoning For Fencing
Security force say it is impossible to prevent entry of people, drugs and arms from Myanmar through an unfenced and open border.
Cross-border arms, drugs and human trafficking have increased exponentially in recent months and are posing a grave danger to India’s internal security.
Thousands of Illegal immigration Myanmarese belonging to the Kuki-Chin-Zo ethnic group over the years has altered the demography of Manipur and is one of the primary causes of the ongoing ethnic strife in the state.
Kuki-Chin militants belonging to armed groups in Myanmar have infiltrated into Manipur and are suspected to be involved in attacks on Manipur police and Meiteis.
The Assam Rifles (AR), which is tasked to guard the international border, faces accusation of being ineffective and even complicit in the influx of Myanmarese into Manipur and also Mizoram.
