Northeast Organizations Unite Against Scrapping of Free Movement Regime

Large number of organizations from Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram have expressed strong opposition to the scrapping of Free Movement Regime and proposed border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar boundary.

In a memorandum to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the organizations stated that the sudden decision to end the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and construct border fencing across the Indo-Myanmar international boundary is a big disappointment.

The organizations stated that people across the Northeast region had high expectation when the FMR was formalized in 2018 as a part of India's Act East Policy and "As Prime Minister, your conscious decision to boost the region's economy by enhancing trade and connectivity with Southeast Asian nations was seen as ground-breaking and a step in the right direction."

However, they said the decision to do away with the FMR and erect border fencing is not only impractical and dehumanizing to the communities living on both side of the border but such an approach may only diminish the prospects for peace and wellbeing in the restive region.

"The drawing of border lines in our land by historical forces, without our consent, divided us into different sovereign nation-states. This adversely impacted our people, who habitually move across this geographical space to carry on with their traditional way of life and livelihood since time immemorial", the memorandum stated.

The organizations further stated that the security argument that the Government has used to justify the removal of FMR stands in contradiction to the diplomatic and strategic outreach with the neighbouring countries and more importantly, it violates the indigenous rights of the border communities. "We vehemently oppose the inhuman-centric approach to border management", they stated.

The organizations urged the Prime Minister to explore other measures to urgently address the present concerns of the indigenous people to consolidate the efforts towards building peace and amity that are so vital for all-round human and economic development in this strategically sensitive border region.

It also stated that India is a signatory to the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and its principles must guide the Government's approach towards the indigenous peoples along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Earlier, a symposium was held with participants of North East India States, who discussed about the removal of Free Movement Regime and the border fencing along the Indo- Myanmar border.

Among others, the symposium was attended by Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zo Reunification Organisation, Mizoram; Nagaland Tribes Council; Indigenous Forum Assam, Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland; UNTABA, RPP, Manipur Nagas Youth Organisation; Project Constitution Justice; Kuki Inpi Nagaland; Nagas Rising; Chakhro Youth Organisation, Azo Neinu of Naga People's Front (NPF), C Apok Jamir, Theja Theriah; KK Sema; ENPO President; General Secretary, NDPP; NPF Minority Wing President.

(Courtesy: Nagaland Page)