In a strong show of protest against the unilateral scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the imposed border fencing in Naga-inhabited areas, the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) along with its federating units — Mao Students’ Union (MSU), Maram Students’ Union (MKS), Poumai Naga Students’ Union (PNTM), Thangal Students’ Union (TAJ), and Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Senapati Zone (ZSU-SZ) — locked down multiple government offices and banking institutions across Senapati district today, reported Ukhrul Times.
The SDSA, in an official endorsement letter, declared that it “fully endorsed ANSAM’s clarion call for office picketing starting 2nd June till 3rd June.” The letter further noted that SDSA and its five federating units, “being part of the deliberation and endorsement,” supported the “democratic agitation for 48 hours against the unilateral scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the illegally imposed border fencing, which directly infringes upon the rights and survival of the indigenous Naga people.”
The SDSA vowed to “strictly implement the office picketing within its jurisdiction in solidarity with fellow Naga brethren across the imaginary international border.” It appealed to all government departments in its area “to refrain from attending or operating their respective offices, except for flood relief, reporting, or other related emergency activities.”
The office picketing was carried out under the banner: “Nagas are one – No fencing in between; Nagas are one – We will live together as one people; Nagas and their lands are inseparable; No fence between families; Stop imposed border fencing constructions across Naga homeland; Reinstate FMR; People’s movement against scrapping of FMR and imposed border fencing constructions amidst Naga homeland; Do not further divide the Nagas; Respect our rights and history; Indian leaders, walk the talk; Modiji, keep your words.”
During the picketing, as per the report, offices including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, DRDA, ADC, and banks such as SBI, UCO, Punjab National Bank, IDBI, CBI, and BOI were locked down.
Speaking from Tamenglong district headquarters, the President of the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), drew attention to the situation of the Nagas, stating that the people “have their own unique history, land, and people, and are already recognized as unique by the Government of India,” but face threats from “sinister policies of the Indian government, which undermine the rights, land, and history of the Naga people.”
He explained that in support of the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union, ANSAM units, and tribal hohos, the student body had initiated this office picketing “opposing the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime and the imposed construction of border fencing in Naga homeland.”
The ANSAM President termed the Government of India’s decision to further divide the Nagas as “a direct challenge to the Naga people and a violation of their birthrights.”
He said: “We cannot accept such divisive policies of the Government of India, which contradict the official agreements between the Naga Nation and the Government of India.
We urge the GoI to respect the official agreements signed between the two entities, honor the Framework Agreement by implementing its competencies in letter and spirit, and immediately revoke the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime in our ancestral land. We also call for the immediate cessation of the imposed border fencing construction in Naga homeland.”
Emphasizing India’s democratic credentials, he added: “India, being a democratic country, should uphold the principles of democracy and respect the legitimate rights of the Naga people.”
“Nagas are one and will live together as one.”
Despite the ongoing challenges and “retrogressive policies of the Government of India,” the ANSAM President affirmed: “We will continue to march forward and overcome, someday, in the name of Christ for Nagalim.”
(With inputs from Ukhrul Times)
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