NIPF, ZORO Protest Central Government's Border Fencing Plans in Manipur

In a joint press statement released on October 30, 2024, the Nagaland Indigenous Peoples Forum (NIPF) and the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) expressed strong disapproval of the central government’s ongoing efforts to construct border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border in the Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Churachandpur districts of Manipur. This initiative has resumed despite previous protests that led to a temporary halt in construction, with the government now deploying central forces to enforce its decision.

The organizations argue that the construction poses a significant threat to the cultural heritage and way of life of indigenous communities, as the fence disrupts villages, divides homelands, and imposes restrictions on traditional practices and interactions with communities across the border. They claim this erosion of cultural identity is unacceptable and highlights the government's insensitivity toward the concerns of these communities.

NIPF and ZORO also criticized the central government for scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which had been formalized in 2018 as part of the BJP government's Act East policy. They described the abrupt decision to abandon the FMR as shocking and perplexing, particularly as it appears to be an appeasement strategy toward certain communities at the expense of indigenous peoples.

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The organizations pointed out that the central government’s actions disregard the need for consultation with local stakeholders and violate international conventions designed to protect indigenous rights, particularly the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). They emphasized that India's commitment to these principles should compel the government to uphold the rights of marginalized communities, including the right to maintain cross-border relations.

To achieve a sustainable and just resolution, NIPF and ZORO called for the Indian government to balance national security concerns with the protection of human rights. They asserted that border management in Manipur and the northeastern region should not come at the cost of disenfranchising indigenous communities, warning that such actions could exacerbate tensions and hinder peace and development in the area.

The organizations are demanding an immediate halt to the construction of the border fence to safeguard the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and rights-based approach to border management. They argue that prioritizing national security over human rights risks further alienating the very communities the government intends to protect.