Kohima: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has issued a statement denouncing the Indian government’s recent decision to abolish the longstanding Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border and initiate border fencing.
This FMR, established 56 years ago, allowed Naga communities to cross the border freely, acknowledging their historical and cultural ties across both countries.
The NSCN argues that dismantling the FMR disregards the unique cultural and familial ties that Nagas share across the India-Myanmar border, which the FMR had recognized as a means to honor Naga heritage and community unity.
The organization’s statement criticizes the Indian government for imposing what it calls an “artificial boundary,” emphasizing that Nagas had no voice in the 1952 Indo-Burma Treaty, which initially established the international border.
In an especially firm stance, the NSCN’s Eastern Flank, representing the Naga Army, has labeled the fencing as a “divisive tactic” that undermines Naga unity. The group has warned that it will actively resist any construction related to border fencing, and it has cautioned contractors and laborers against participating in the project, noting that doing so could entail personal risks.
The NSCN also expressed concern that the move could jeopardize the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks, which have aimed to address longstanding issues between the Naga communities and the Indian government. The group views the fencing project as undermining these discussions by ignoring core concerns of the Naga people.
The NSCN’s opposition highlights the challenges faced by Indigenous communities living in border regions, with complex cross-border identities that often clash with modern national boundaries.
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