Nagas in Chandel, Tengnoupal rally against border fencing, scrapping of FMR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 12 2025: Thousands of Nagas from Chandel and Tengnoupal districts took to the streets in a massive rally held at Chakpikarong and Kapaam, Chandel district headquarters today, to air their strong opposition to the decision to construct border fencing and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The protesters held a banner that read "Mass public protest rally against coercive construction of border fencing & scrapping of FMR along Indo-Myanmar border.

Today, we stand together to defend and safeguard our Naga ancestral land and people" .

They also held placards that read, "Break the fence, break the chains", "Naga rights, human rights", "Fences divide, love unites" and "Respect our roots, restore our rights" among others.

Nagas in Chandel, Tengnoupal rally against border fencing, scrapping of FMR

The rally in Chandel district headquarters which began from Maha Union Government Higher Secondary School ground culminated at the DC office complex.

The protesters, numbering in thousands, converged at the DC office complex, where they submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Chandel Deputy Commissioner L Nandakumar Singh.

In the memorandum, Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) and Naga Tribe Hohos of Chandel condemned the Government's decision to construct border fencing in their 'ancestral' territories, stating that it jeopardizes the Indo-Naga peace negotiations.

"This draconian measure has left us feeling betrayed, vulnerable, and apprehensive for our future, as it undermines the very foundation of our autonomy, territorial rights, and self-determination," the memorandum stated.

The memorandum also stated that the construction of border fencing in 'their ancestral lands' is a painful reminder of the historical injustice inflicted upon them.

Through the memorandum, the CNPO along with various Naga leaders of Chandel and Tengnoupal sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister to suspend the border fencing project and to reinstate FMR.

The rally in Tengnoupal, commenced from three places-Kapaam, Tuishimi, Aimol Satu and culminated at Lamrinkhuw village in Chandel.

A similar copy of the memorandum was also submitted to Tengnoupal Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar through the ADC.

In Chakpikarong, the rally was taken out from Tampi Village Lamkhai to Chakpikarong Public Ground.

The rally was attended by UNC general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang and representatives of Naga Women's Union (NWU), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) among others.

Following the call for total shutdown, market places in Naga-dominated areas in Chandel and Tengnoupal were closed down with no movement of vehicles seen except on emergency purposes.