Indigenous groups from 3 states unite against abrogation of FMR

Dimapur: In a recent symposium organised by the Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum (NIPF), various tribal and frontal organisations from Northeast India voiced their concerns over the Government of India’s decision to end the FMR (Free Movement Regime) along the India-Myanmar border and install a fence spanning 1,643 km.

The FMR allowed people to travel up to 16 km for a limited time period into each other’s territory without documentation.

Representatives from organisations such as Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zo Reunification Organization (Mizoram), and Indigenous peoples of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, along with activists, academicians, political party members, and former diplomats, gathered to discuss the implications of the decision. The symposium resulted in the formation of a core committee comprising members from various states, tasked with opposing the scrapping of FMR and the proposed border fencing.

The symposium adopted a resolution drafted by the core committee, expressing opposition to the government’s decisions. The resolution will be forwarded to the Prime Minister of India for consideration.

EastMojo interviewed Khekiye K. Sema, a retired IAS officer and social activist from Nagaland, who highlighted the human aspect of the FMR issue. Sema emphasised the need for the government to acknowledge the sentiments of the northeastern tribal people, urging a change in the historical indifference towards the Nagas.

HRH Lenn, the spokesman for Kuki Inpi Lhangsam, shared the perspective that the scrapping of FMR is not only against Indian interests but also detrimental to its economic goals and long-term foreign policy vision. Lenn stated that appealing to the Prime Minister is the first step, and if necessary, they may approach the UN to address human rights principles and indigenous people’s rights.

Ruat Liana Fanai, General Secretary of HQ Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) in Mizoram, dismissed the argument that scrapping FMR would curb illegal trade along the border. Fanai emphasised the importance of consulting indigenous people before making policy decisions and criticised the government’s actions as “really wrong.”

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