Kohima, January 16 (MExN): The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today vehemently condemned the recent reported move by the Government of India (GoI) to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and proposal to fence the India-Myanmar border.
“This decision, fraught with historical implications and disregard to the rights of the Naga people, is a regressive step that will exacerbate conflicts in the North-East Frontier Region,” the NSF asserted in a statement.
It further argued that the proposed fencing, as suggested by the authorities in Delhi, raises serious concerns about the historical context and the impact it would have on Naga people.
“The lands and hills between the Chindwin River and the Saramati mountain range, presently on the Burma-side, are an integral part of the Naga heritage,” maintained the statement issued by the NSF President Medovi Rhi and General Secretary Chumben Khuvung.
“It is crucial for India to acknowledge the historical truth that these territories belong to the Nagas,” it said, adding that the “duplicity separation line, which has persisted for over 80 years, has been a root cause of conflicts and insurgencies in the North-East Frontier Region.”
According to the NSF, this cycle of conflict would persist until a just and equitable resolution is achieved. It further pointed out that the Naga people, on both sides of the Saramati mountain range, have suffered the consequences of arbitrary divisions imposed by external forces.
“The Nagas on the Burma-side were forced into conflicts with the Government of Burma, while those on the Indian side were embroiled in struggles with the Government of India,” it asserted.
The attempt to arbitrarily divide and fence the Nagas, the NSF stated, is an “affront to our rights and autonomy.”
It further cautioned that such attempts to “disrupt our unity will only sow the seeds of discord and unrest” and India, as a responsible nation, must recognise that it has “no right to unilaterally decide the fate of the Naga people through fencing.” The NSF also called the decision to abolish FMR “deeply troubling” saying that the regime played a crucial role in facilitating interactions between people residing close to the India-Myanmar border.
Abolishing this regime will not only restrict the cultural and social exchange between communities but will also add a layer of tension to an already delicate situation, it said. Accordingly, stating that the 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border traversing through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh is a complex landscape with diverse communities and histories, the NSF urged the Indian government to reconsider its decision.
Instead, it called for engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the Naga community to find a just and inclusive resolution that respects the historical rights, realities and aspirations of the Naga people. The NSF also stated that it stands united against the unilateral actions proposed by the Indian government and noted that it remains committed to fostering peace, unity, and understanding in the region.
