The Nagas vehemently oppose the Indian government’s proposed fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border, as it threatens to disrupt centuries-old cultural ties, economic activities, and access to essential services.
Voices from the Border: A Cry for Unity
During our recent visits to Longwa and Dan—key villages, organizing protest rallies against the border fencing—senior community members raised a poignant question: “Where are the Nagas and our leaders when we are crying? We cannot sleep peacefully since the government announced this fencing.” Their anguish reflects the deep distress of villagers in Nagaland’s border regions. The impact will be even more severe across the 215-kilometer Indo-Myanmar border, where Naga communities have lived harmoniously for generations.
Historical Context: The Free Movement Regime (FMR):
The India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) has evolved over time:
- 1948 (Burma Passport Rules): Indigenous populations within 40 km of the border could travel without passports.
- 1950 (India’s Amendment): Tribes within 40 km were permitted to cross into India and stay for up to 72 hours.
- 1968: India introduced a permit system, restricting earlier freedoms.
- 2018 (Current FMR): Residents within 16 km could cross with a one-year border pass, staying up to 14 days.
However, on February 8, 2024, India suspended the FMR, citing security, demographic concerns, and illegal activities in the Northeast. The government now plans to fence the so-called “international boundary” — a move that is unacceptable to the Nagas.
Why the Fencing is Unacceptable?
- Divided Communities: Longwa (Mon district) and five other villages in Nagaland, as well as Dan and three neighbouring villages in the Pangsha area, will be directly affected. These are not just borderlands—they are home to our own brothers and sisters.
- Violation of Indigenous Rights: India, as a signatory to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), must uphold Article 36, which guarantees:
- The right of indigenous peoples divided by borders to maintain cross-border ties for cultural, economic, and social purposes.
- The obligation of states to facilitate and protect these rights.
Strong opposition from Naga leaders and Organisations: - 19 Naga Tribal leaders (on April 9, 2025): In the post-independent period, the idea of Free Movement Regime (FMR) conceived by leaders of India and Myanmar is a testament of the fact that the traditional way of life of the Nagas needed to be respected. The initial informal arrangement allowed the Nagas on both side of the border to move freely 40 km on both side of the border to maintain their age old ties. However this was reduced to 16 km in 2018 and now reduced to 10 km on both sides. Thus, the new border policies and regulations introduced by the Government of India simply remind us of the colonial rulers whose interests were driven solely by the hunger for power and control of territory with no respect for the indigenous people.
- Kekhwengulo Lea, President, Tenyimi Union Nagaland: “This fence is not merely a physical barrier; it is an attack on our identity, heritage, and dignity.”
- Tenyimi Union Nagaland: The fencing would “isolate communities, obstruct cross-border trade, and limit access to vital services like education and healthcare.”
- Naga People’s Front: “Erecting a fence along the Indo-Myanmar border would be akin to building a Berlin Wall,” highlighting the forced division of Naga families.
Key Concerns of the Naga People
The proposed fencing will: - Sever historical and cultural ties between Naga communities.
- Disrupt local economies and cross-border trade.
- Restrict access to education, healthcare, and essential services.
- Undermine indigenous autonomy and rights.
Appeal to the Indian Government
The Naga people urge the government to:
- Restore the FMR in its original form.
- Abandon the fencing plan or at least keep it in abeyance.
- Respect indigenous rights and engage in meaningful dialogue with affected communities.
A Call for Peace and Justice
As Albert Einstein wisely said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” “True peace,” as Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice.”
The Nagas stand united in demanding that their voices be heard and their rights protected. The government must act with wisdom and humanity to preserve the unity and dignity of the Naga people.
S. Akho Leyri