ANSAM memo to Shah pleads for FMR, backs NRC
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 01 2024: All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has submitted a memorandum to Union home minister Amit Shah through Governor Anusuiya Uikey urging reversal of the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border.

ANSAM, representing the voice of Naga students and youth in Manipur, expressed concern over the government's decision and highlighted the historical and cultural ties that exist across the contested border.

Informing this to media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Thursday, ANSAM Tribunal member AC Thotsho said that in the memorandum, ANSAM emphasised that the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) is an imposed imaginary line that has caused historical injustices for the tribal populace residing along the border.

The FMR, introduced in 2018 under the Modi-led BJP government, allowed tribal communities to travel up to 16 km on either side of the border without a visa, easing hardships and enhancing livelihoods.

However, the recent decision to revoke the FMR has been met with shock and dismay by the Naga student body.

ANSAM acknowledged the govern ment's concerns about illegal immigration but argued that permanently sealing the border would lead to another humanitarian crisis and is not an ideal solution.

Instead, the student body suggested mechanisms such as updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), establishing a Population Commission, and strict implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to address the issue of illegal immigrants.

The memorandum pointed out that scrapping of FMR would disrupt the traditional ties between communities on either sides of the border, impacting people s immovable assets and livelihood activities.

ANSAM raised concerns about human rights violations and the potential dehumanisation caused by the decision.

Furthermore, ANSAM criticised the government s decision to install fencing along the 1,643 km Indo-Myanmar border, calling it illogical and contradictory to India's commitments as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 (UNDRP) .

The student body warned that fencing the border would not only trigger humanitarian crisis but also impact the region's biodiversity and ecosystem.

In conclusion, ANSAM urged the Government of India to review and reinstate the Free Movement Regime to prevent civil unrest in the North Eastern states and maintain India's stature before the world.

The student body also called for a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to address the complex issues related to the Indo-Myanmar border.

The memorandum addressed to Amit Shah was submitted to Governor Anusuiya by ANSAM representatives led by its president M Luikang Luckson at Raj Bhavan on Thursday.

The memorandum proposed for reinstating Free Movement Regime (FMR) in Naga areas along the Indo-Myanmar border.

According to a statement issued by the Governor's secretariat, the ANSAM team conveyed to the Governor that the reintroduction of FMR in 2018 was a welcoming step that alleviated the hardship and enhanced the livelihood of the people residing along the borders.

The representatives also expressed concern about the on-going unrest in the state as it also affects Naga people and appealed to the centre and the state government to solve the issue at the earliest and also put forward their concerns to the Union Home Minister, the release added.

The Governor, on the other hand, pointed out that the issues of illegal immigrants and insurgency were discussed in the NEC meeting held recently in Shillong and the centre is taking it seriously, while also assuring that she will forward their proposal to the Union Home Minister and will talk to him in this regard.

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