Imphal: The Government of India has invited the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, for a meeting on August 26 in New Delhi to discuss ongoing concerns over border fencing and the proposed scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border.
A letter addressed to the UNC president from A.K. Mishra, Advisor (North East) to the Ministry of Home Affairs, formally requested the Council’s presence at the upcoming dialogue.
According to a UNC leader, the Council had initially urged the Centre to hold talks in the Naga-inhabited areas. However, the Centre cited logistical challenges during the ongoing monsoon session. Ministries including Home Affairs, External Affairs, and Defence are expected to attend the meeting.
The UNC has raised strong objections to the fencing and FMR removal, both of which they believe threaten traditional cross-border ties of Naga communities. A delegation will travel to New Delhi to push their demands and maintain pressure.
The UNC reiterated that agitation will continue until the interests of the Naga people are fully addressed.
Earlier, on August 16, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met with UNC representatives to discuss the same issues. The Governor assured the Council that the matter had been raised with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and urged the Naga body to maintain peace while dialogue progresses.
Prior to this, the UNC had convened an emergency presidential council meeting on August 11 with tribal hoho leaders after a 20-day ultimatum given to the government lapsed. The meeting ended with a resolution to declare further modes of agitation within 15 days.
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