Anal, Maring Student Bodies Reiterate Stand on Border Fencing, FMR

Chandel, Mar 13: The Anal Lenruwl Tangpi (Anal Naga Students’ Union), General Headquarters (ALT – GHQs) has reiterated its stand against border fencing and scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

The ALT-GHQs “is once again compelled to issue this press statement in strong opposition to the continuous efforts of the Union Government of India to construct border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border while scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR)”, Bd. Ningwar Anal, president, ALT-GHQs and Zecharia Khatal Anal, general secretary, ALT-GHQs stated in a press release.

Time and again, the Nagas have raised their voice in union against the move of the Indian government to scrap the free movement regime and construct fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border. However, it seems that the voice of the Nagas has fallen on the deaf ears of the government, the apex body of the Anal students said.

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It called on the Indian government to realize that the Nagas have always been one since time immemorial and only divided by an imaginary line. Moreover, Naga villages across the border had been closely sharing all ties in terms of social, economic, cultural, religious, lands, etc. Therefore, this sudden scrapping of the FMR and the construction of the border fencing has disrupted the peaceful relationship between the Nagas on both sides of the border, the ALT stated.

The ALT-GHQs believe that the influx of illegal immigrants is a major issue, however scrapping of FMR and constructing border fencing will not solve the issue, it said. The ALT-GHQs then called on the government to find other mechanisms such as strict implementation of NRC and a regular check on it.

We express our strong opposition to the scrapping of FMR and constructing border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border. Rather, we appeal to the government of India to reinstate the Free Movement Regime and stop the border fencing so that the Nagas from both sides can live as one and in peace,” the Anal Naga Students’ Union said.

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Meanwhile, the Maring Students’ Union (MSU) has expressed its strong opposition to the ongoing arbitrary border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, particularly in Naga ancestral lands. The recent directive by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, to expedite the border fencing process in Manipur and Nagaland is deeply concerning and a direct affront to the rights, identity, and integrity of the Naga people, stated in a press release.

The border that divides the Naga homeland is a colonial construct that does not reflect the historical, cultural, and traditional realities of the Naga people. Generations of Nagas have coexisted across this

imposed boundary, sharing familial, social, and economic ties that transcend political lines. The hasty construction of border fencing without the free, prior, and informed consent of the indigenous Naga people is a grave violation of their rights and dignity, the release mentioned.

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The Maring Students’ Union asserts that the Govt of India cannot unilaterally impose such decisions that drastically affect the lives and lands of the Naga people. Such arbitrary actions will only escalate tensions, disrupt the age-old ties between communities, and foster resentment among those directly affected, the release said.

The student body reminds the Government of India that the Indo-Naga peace process is still ongoing, and any unilateral decision that disregards the legitimate concerns of the Naga people will be detrimental to the search for a just and lasting solution, adding the body demands the immediate suspension of the border fencing project until a comprehensive dialogue is held with all stakeholders, including the indigenous Naga people who will bear the consequences of the reckless move.

If the Government of India fails to heed the legitimate concerns of the Naga people, the student body warns that the situation could spiral out of control. The MSU stated that it will remain steadfast in its commitment to defend their land, identity, and dignity of the Naga people and will not remain silent in the face of such injustice.

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