Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 9
The Nagaland state government has finally decided to request the Government of India to continue with the Free Movement Regime (FMR) on the Indo-Myanmar border. The Home Department made a cautiously worded announcement on February 9 evening informing, “The Cabinet has decided to request the Central Government to continue the FMR and also to enact appropriate regulations and lay down processes for movement of people across the borders in close consultation with the people inhabiting the border areas of the State.”
It said that the decision to request Delhi was taken by the state Cabinet on February 8. It added that the Cabinet further decided to request (Centre) for involving the village councils, falling on the border, in the “regulations of the FMR.”
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Neiphiu told media persons that the public as well as the Nagaland state government do not agree with the Centre’s decision to repeal the FMR. He though maintained that the violent political situation in Myanmar and the northeast becoming a safe haven has had the Centre concerned.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton, was reported telling the Press Trust of India (PTI) that the state government will be consulting the tribal bodies and civil society organisations on the Centre’s decision to abolish the FMR.
