Nagalim Voice May June 2025
WHY THE NAGAS COULD NOT REST TILL F.M.R IS RESTORED AND BORDER FENCING PUT ON HOLD
India said many good things about FMR and border fencing, but nothing is further from the truth as Nagas are no fools to believe what is deceitful and defiance on the role of the Government of India.
The scrapping of Free Movement Regime (FMR) is against the historical and political rights of the Nagas. In the better expression of language, it is an “insult and betrayal of Naga sovereignty”. What really matters that provoked such mass uprising against FMR and border fencing is the political consciousness to defend the God-given identity of the Naga people as a nation.
Prof. Dr. Rosemary Dzuvichu, Co-convenor of Global Naga Forum (GNF) in her hard hitting speech at mass rally held at Ukhrul headquarters, against the scrapping of the FMR and construction of border fencing at Indo-Naga border fencing, said, “We (Nagas) are swallowed by the deceitful machinations of a foreign state that has long sought to erase our identity, to break our spirit, and to keep us enslaved within the iron grip of occupation.
The scrapping of the FMR is a calculated move to suffocate the Naga people for generations. The FMR stood as a fragile bridge between the divided Naga people across the so-called international borders. It was not a privilege granted by India, but a necessity- a right for the Naga people who have lived, traded and moved freely across these lands long before the artificial lines of colonizers divided us. The abrupt scrapping of the FMR is not about ‘national security’ or ‘controlling illegal migration’ as New Delhi claims. It is a deliberate act to suffocate the Naga people, to cut us off from our own kin, and to assert absolute control over every aspect our lives. It is a colonial relic disguised as a policy decision- a blatant move to fortify India’s military presence and to ensure that Nagas remain prisoners in our own homeland.
The real agenda of the Government of India is justifying military occupation under the guise of development and national security. We must ask ourselves: why now? Why is the Government of India suddenly so desperate to shut down even the limited movement of the Nagas across the Indo-Myanmar border? The truth is simple and chilling-this is not about us, but about the crumbling India state that sees the Northeast, particularly Naga lands, as little more than a strategic military outpost.
The promise of ‘Act East Policy’ was never about economic opportunities for the people of Northeast. It was always a militarized policy to mean to expand Indian military logistics, allowing convoys of armed trucks and artillery to move freely while economic goods and trade remain stifled. Look around who truly benefits from these roads, bridges and infrastructure? Is it our farmers? Is it our traders? Or is it only the military that grows stronger while our people remain subjugated?
Our lands have always been our strength. From the colonial era to the present, imperial forces have understood that controlling the indigenous land is the key to controlling the indigenous people. The British fenced off Naga lands, the Indian state militarized them, and now, with the scrapping of the FMR, India has taken the final step towards turning our homeland into a vast open-air prison.
Making her point sharp like two-edge sword, she said, ‘You (India) cannot enslave a Nation that refuses to kneel’. India may have scrapped the FMR, but she will never be able to scrap the Naga people’s will. India’s military cannot crush the Naga people’s will. India’s economic blockade cannot silent the voice of the Naga people. No laws, borders or dictates can hold power over the Naga people who refused to be broken.
Another historic mass rally against FMR and border fencing was held at Longwa village in Mon district. This is the very place where India and Myanmar divided the lands of the Nagas that ruthlessly intrude into the house of the Angh of Longwa with kitchen falling on the side of India and bedroom on Myanmar side. Here NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon came down heavily on FMR and border fencing, saying it is a direct threat to the unity and identity of the Naga people. He asserted without mincing words, ‘We fought the British to preserve our sovereignty, and we will not submit to any external control.’ He made his point very clear and sharp, ‘We are living on our lands, no one has the right to divide our home. India is attempting to curb our rights but we will protect our land at all cost.’
Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Mr. N. Krome, rightfully said, that anti-people act like FMR has helped the Nagas to reunite again in order to enhance our struggle for self-determination to grow greater and progress together.
Exposing the colonial policy of India, United Naga Council (UNC) President Mr. Ng. Lorho, said. ‘The Government of India’s sudden intention to fence the border is a calculated move to further fragment and weaken the Nagas.’ He termed such policy of border fencing and scrapping of FMR as direct attack on the rights and dignities of the Nagas.
Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) President, Mr. Sword Vashum, stated in no less term, ‘We are committed and united in the fight against scrapping FMR and construction of border fencing on our land. No external force can divide the Nagas living beyond and across the border as long as we stand firm to live together as one people.’ The TNL-led mass rally in Ukhrul is a clear warning that the Naga community will not accept the removal of FMR and the construction of border fencing. Memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi with the message to deliver retributive justice and upholds the rights of the Naga people.
During the mass rally organized by the Angami Public Organization (APO) in the capital of Nagaland state, Kohima, they submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah that stated, ‘Immediate revocation of the new guidelines for movement of indigenous Nagas in their own ancestral homeland’. They made the point loud and clear that, forcing our people to obtain a border pass to move in their own land is unacceptable as it is tantamount to taking permission to move around in one’s own house.
‘Constructing fences along the border and dividing our people and our land is an outright violation of our indigenous rights.’ APO demanded the restoration of FMR along the border in its entirety.
Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) also organized a befitting mass rally demanding the restoration of FMR rights as they refused to accept the artificial boundary to divide the Naga family. Like other Nagas across Nagalim, ENPO made their point heard, “The right to free movement is essential for preserving the unity, dignity and integrity of the Naga people”.
Chandel Naga People’s Organization (CNPO) and ANSAM (All Naga Students Association, Manipur) who took the lead in Manipur organizing mass rally against FMR and border fencing, cited Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples and Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that give them the strength to assert their right to self-determination.
For over 75 years the Nagas have given blood, tears and sweats to defend our history, culture, dignity and rights as sovereign nation that was made known through memorandum to Simon Commission by Naga Club, 1929, Naga Declaration of Independence, 1947 and Naga Plebiscite 1951. The Naga people are proud of our history that is well documented and placed before the UN (United Nations). In the background of such historical truth behind the Naga political movement, it is unthinkable for the Naga people to let India have its way to force the Nagas to compromise on FMR and border fencing at the cost of destroying our own identity and right as a people and as nation.
For the Naga people, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. There is no question of giving up as our resilience and determination as manifested during the last 75 years will be put before the creator God for sustenance and fulfilment. The Nagas are not alone, as (Unrepresented Nations Peoples Organization) UNPO had strongly sought the intervention of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The fight for the logical conclusion has just begun.