Imphal, July 23, 2025 — Four prominent Naga civil society organisations in Manipur have jointly issued a 20-day ultimatum to the Government of India, demanding the restoration of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and an immediate halt to border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar frontier in Naga ancestral lands.
The organisations—United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights-South (NPMHR-S)—submitted memoranda to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar through Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on July 22.
- Revocation of the February 2024 order that scrapped the FMR, which previously allowed residents within 16 km of the India-Myanmar border to cross without a visa.
- Immediate cessation of border fencing and demarcation activities in Naga-inhabited areas, particularly in Tengnoupal and Chandel districts.
- Initiation of a time-bound and meaningful dialogue with Naga civil societies and affected stakeholders.
The memoranda expressed strong resentment over what the groups termed as unilateral decisions that violate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), citing Articles 8, 26, and 36. They argued that the fencing and FMR rollback sever historical, cultural, and familial ties between Nagas living on both sides of the border.
Escalation Warning
The organisations warned that failure to address their demands within the stipulated 20-day period would lead to intensified protest movements across all Naga hill districts. Past actions have included rallies, picketing of government offices, and repeated submissions of memoranda since early 2024.
The Governor acknowledged the grievances and assured that the matter would be looked into, according to a statement from Raj Bhavan.
The issue has also drawn opposition from other indigenous groups, including Kuki-Zo and Mizo communities, who similarly view the fencing as a threat to cross-border ethnic ties and mobility. The revised border guidelines issued in December 2024 reduced the FMR distance to 10 km and introduced a regulated border pass system, further restricting movement.
As tensions mount, the Centre faces growing pressure to revisit its border policy and engage with stakeholders in the Northeast.
