FNBA opposes suspension of FMR along Indo-Myanmar border
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2024: The Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations (FNBA) has expressed strong opposition to the Union Government's recent move to suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border.

A release jointly signed by Rev Dr Visor H Zeliang, president FNBA, Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, vice president FNBA and Rev Dr H Gideon, general secretary FNBA, also appealed to the Union Government to reconsider the proposed suspension of Free Movement Regime along the international border.

FNBA claimed that the existing artificial boundaries imposed by colonial powers have long caused much ordeal among the Nagas living in the border areas including separation of communities and families, hardships to economic, cultural, and ethnic ties.

"Now, the proposed move of the Centre to suspend the FMR will create even more insurmountable barriers to social interactions, cultural exchange, community support, as well as affect day-to-day lives and activities", it claimed.

The association also claimed that the suspension of FMR will violate the basic human interaction & free movement rights and will further isolate the Naga communities on both sides of the border.

"The Nagas, irrespective of the imaginary boundary, had lived in harmony as one people for decades.

We want to be able to move freely across our traditional territory and live together as one family", it added.

"The border that shares with Myanmar is 398 km in Manipur, 520 km in Arunachal Pradesh, most of which are in Naga areas and 215 km in Nagaland", said FNBA while adding that the attempt to abolish FMR in any way along this border will hurt the sentiments of the Naga communities as a whole and would erode the Naga trust in the Government.

The Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations further appealed to the Government of India to respect the rights of the Naga People and understand the severity of basic rights violations by a mere fence to those living in the border regions.

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