ANSAM Vows Against Border Fencing, FMR

Ukhrul, Feb 11: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), has expressed strong resentment against the ongoing border fencing and the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime and has vowed to oppose it.

In a press release, the new executives of ANSAM stated that it had taken strong exception to the ongoing imposed border fencing along the imaginary Indo-Myanmar border in the Naga homeland despite various appeals from the Naga Civil bodies. It reiterated that the body will rigidly oppose the coercive move of the government of India come what may.

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“These arbitrary actions of the government have caused a series of problems, disrupting the traditional ties of people straddled on both sides of the border since time immemorial. It is nothing less than dehumanizing in nature. Over and above the human crisis, it is also bound to have a severe impact on the pristine biodiversity and ecosystem,” the student body said.

The Association, representing the voice of Naga students and youth in Manipur, also recorded that permanent sealing of the border and scrapping of FMR was highly unacceptable and uncalled for, as it would not solve any problem but rather would trigger an unprecedented human crisis. Ironically, constructing physical fencing along the imaginary border by negating the historical and traditional boundaries would cause huge ramifications and is quite an illogical move by the GoI, the ANSAM stated.

Also read | How to Un-Govern the Borderland: India’s Troubled Northeast Borders Needs a New Regime of Movement (P-I)

“If at all the government is serious about the issue of the unfolding situation in the state and curbing the same, the government may invoke various mechanisms like the updating of the National Registration of Citizen (NRC), Constitution of the Population Commission, strict implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), etc. Moreover, Gol may sincerely engage at the table to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga political issue that would serve as a permanent solution to various problems and usher in peace in the northeastern states of India,” the body said.

Further, the ANSAM expresses its firm support and solidarity to the public rally slated to be held in Tengnoupal Sub-Division, Machi Sub-Division, and Chandel District Headquarters on February 12, 2025, organized by the Chandel Naga Peoples Organization (CNPO).

Also read | Chandel to Observe Total Shutdown, Mass Rally on Feb 12 Against Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing

“Once again, through this statement, the office of the association earnestly implores the Gol to review and reinstate the FMR and immediately stop the ongoing construction of the border fencing in the Naga homeland to avert the ignition of spark and civil unrest in the region,” the Naga student body added.