ANSAM opposes border fencing in Naga areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, February 11 2025: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has expressed strong opposition to border fencing and scrapping of the Free Movement Regime in Naga areas.

It will support public rallies slated to be held in Tengnoupal subdivision, Machi subdivision and Chandel District Headquarters on February 12, to be organised by the Chandel Naga Peoples Organization (CNPO), said ANSAM.

In a statement issued today, ANSAM stated that the border fencing and scrapping of FMR in Naga areas, despite repeated appeals against it from Nagas, have caused a series of problems and disrupted the traditional ties between people who are living on either side of the border since time immemorial.

"It is nothing less than dehumanizing in nature.

Over and above the human crisis, it is also bound to have a severe impact on the pristine biodiversity and ecosystem," ANSAM said.

The permanent sealing of the border and scrapping of FMR is highly unacceptable and uncalled for.

This will not solve any problem, rather it has triggered an unprecedented human crisis, said ANSAM.

"The construction of physical fences along the said imaginary border by negating the historical and traditional boundaries would cause huge ramification and is quite an illogical move on the part of the Govt of India," it added.

If at all the Government is serious on the issue of the unfolding situation in the State and curbing the same, the Government may implement various mechanisms like the National Register of Citizens (NRC), constitute a Population Commission, strictly enforce the Inner Line Permit (ILP), asserted ANSAM.

Moreover, the student body said, the Govt of India should sincerely engage on the table to resolve the protracted Naga political issue that would "serve as a permanent solution" to various problems and usher in peace in the North Eastern States of India.

It urged the Government of India to review and reinstate the FMR, and immediately stop construction of border fences in Naga areas to avoid civil unrest in the region.

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