Kohima: In a move seen as a direct attack on indigenous rights and ancestral ties, the Government of India’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) has sparked deep alarm among Nagas across the globe.
For the Naga people — whose lands, families, and cultures predate international boundaries — the fencing is not just a physical barrier, but a severing of their lifeline, history, and identity.
“Since time immemorial, we did not recognise any international boundary. We just named our mountains and valleys. Unfortunately, this artificial border came, and now the FMR restrictions have worsened our hardships,” said Atimiu Jongs, President of the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) in Myanmar, as he emphasised the devastating impact of the border, historically alien to the Nagas.
Jongs made these remarks during a seminar titled “Borders Without Consent: The Naga Struggle Against Forced Division and Surveillance” held at the NIELIT Conference Hall in Kohima, organised by the Global Naga Forum (GNF).
The young leader informed the audience that in Myanmar, only seven Naga tribes are officially recognised, despite more than 80 dialects being spoken. He stressed that survival heavily depends on access to Nagaland (India) for food, education, and healthcare.
“From salt to rice, our lifeline is on the western side. Myanmar gives us no education, no healthcare, no development,” he said.
With the introduction of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in India, he said the biometric processes now required — even for emergencies — have added to the woes of the people.
This, he added, limits mobility to seven-day permits after elaborate procedures, making it a difficult process for villagers, patients, and students. He also appealed to the GNF and Nagaland leaders to seek alternative systems that allow Eastern Naga students to access education without Aadhaar requirements, which demand changes to indigenous names and identities.
Professor Rosemary Dzüvichü, Co-Convenor of the GNF, recounted how the boundary between India and Myanmar was drawn in 1952 without the consent of the Nagas.
“FMR made it possible for kins to meet. However, when it was reduced to 16 km, families beyond that range were cut off. Now, FMR is being scrapped altogether,” Dzüvichü said.
Not only is the FMR being scrapped, but biometric surveillance is also being introduced as a requirement for movement. Questioning these new moves by the Government of India, she asked who truly benefits from such restrictions under the Centre’s ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ policies.
She added that the Naga people are being turned into prisoners within their own homeland.
Chuba Ozukum, Convenor of the GNF, said the move to fence the border and impose surveillance threatens the very way of life and identity of the Naga people.
“This is a violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Indigenous peoples would never surrender their rightful stand,” he declared.
Highlighting the objective of the seminar, Ozukum said it aimed “to build solidarity among Nagas across borders and to release a joint declaration against fencing and forced division.”
“Let today be a beacon of hope and determination for all of us,” Ozukum urged.
The GNF noted that the Indo-Myanmar border was arbitrarily drawn in 1952 through an aerial survey conducted by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Burmese Prime Minister U Nu. To them, this remains one of the most glaring symbols of colonial injustice for the Naga people.
“This border was imposed without consultation or consent of the indigenous Naga communities, effectively splitting their ancestral land and creating a permanent fracture across their cultural, social, and political fabric,” the GNF said.
One participant remarked that India should focus its attention on the Nepal border instead of restricting indigenous movements along the Indo-Myanmar border. A scholar highlighted how Nagas living across the border are deeply dependent on Nagaland for essentials — from salt and telecommunications to education and healthcare.
The discussion stressed the need to build greater solidarity among indigenous groups. Participants suggested strategies such as counter-mapping and resisting modern cartographic practices, urging the need to decolonise indigenous minds and reclaim ancestral worldviews.
A Global Call for Unity and Resistance
Representatives of various Naga organisations, political parties, civil society groups, student bodies, scholars, and concerned citizens who attended the seminar issued a Joint Recommendation opposing the Government of India’s move to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and impose border fencing and biometric surveillance along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The Joint Recommendation, released during the seminar, asserted that resolving the long-standing Indo-Naga political issue should take precedence over “measures that further alienate and oppress” the Naga people.
“A just and honourable political settlement should be the Government’s top priority, rather than actions that exacerbate mistrust and hardship among the Naga people,” it stated.
Participants at the seminar denounced the Indo-Myanmar border as a colonial and illegitimate imposition that continues to divide ancestral Naga lands without the consent of indigenous communities. They warned that scrapping the FMR criminalises traditional kinship ties and restricts indigenous mobility, violating rights protected under international frameworks such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The gathering categorically rejected any plans for border fencing or militarised infrastructure, cautioning that such measures would turn the Naga homeland into a “zone of fear and control.” Instead, they called for greater unity among all Naga groups — irrespective of state or political affiliations — to peacefully and collectively resist these moves.
Urging elected Naga leaders to take a firm stand, the recommendation emphasised:
“The State Government of Nagaland and all Naga representatives — regardless of state or political affiliation — must prioritise the will of the people over external political pressures. Any compromise on our land, movement, or inherent rights would be a betrayal of the Naga political vision rooted in unity, dignity, and self-determination.”
The Joint Recommendation also called for regional and international solidarity, appealing to indigenous networks, human rights defenders, and democratic institutions worldwide to stand with the Naga people in their struggle.
The seminar further highlighted the historical context of the FMR, which was formalised in 2018 under the India-Myanmar Land Border Crossing Agreement. It allowed indigenous communities to travel up to 16 kilometres across the border without a visa or passport, acknowledging longstanding cultural, social, and kinship ties.
In their resolution, the participants pledged to reject all fencing and surveillance measures imposed under the pretext of national security or drug control. They committed to defending the Naga homeland through peaceful, indigenous-led resistance grounded in customary law, international standards, and a spirit of enduring unity.
The Joint Recommendation was signed by Chuba Ozukum, Convenor of the Global Naga Forum (GNF), and Prof. Rosemary Dzüvichü, Co-Convenor, on behalf of all the participants.
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