The All-Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has announced a 48-hour office picketing across all Naga-inhabited hill districts of Manipur starting June 2, to protest against the Government of India’s border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar boundary and the revocation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
In a statement issued on Sunday, ANSAM described the fencing project as a “forceful and aggressive” intrusion across traditional Naga territories. It termed the move “undemocratic and repressive,” stating that the project has already triggered a humanitarian crisis and poses a threat to the integrity of Naga ancestral lands.
The picketing was endorsed through resolutions adopted during ANSAM’s Presidential Council meeting on May 12 and reaffirmed at its Office Bearers’ meeting on May 26. The association reiterated that its protest is a democratic assertion, demanding the restoration of the FMR, which the Centre scrapped on February 8, 2024.
“This movement is a united demonstration expressing our resentment,” the statement read. “We remind the Government of India once again to sincerely return to the negotiating table to resolve the long-standing Indo-Naga political issue,” ANSAM added.
The student body has directed all its constituent units and affiliated bodies to enforce the 48-hour picketing within their respective jurisdictions, framing the protest as a collective defence of Naga ancestral land, cultural identity, and familial unity.
Warning of potential consequences, ANSAM said that individuals, contractors, transporters, or agencies involved in supplying materials for the fencing project would be held responsible for any untoward incidents. It held both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur accountable for any fallout from the ongoing conflict over the border.
UNC, CNPO, TKS back ANSAM protest
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex civil body representing Nagas in Manipur, has extended its full support to the ANSAM-led protest. Citing resolutions from its Presidential Council meeting on March 26 and its Council Assembly on May 30, the UNC said it “stands in solidarity” with the 48-hour office picketing.
“All district apex bodies and Tribe Hoho Presidents are asked to cooperate without fear or favour,” the UNC stated on Sunday.
Echoing similar concerns, the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO) and the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) — the latter representing Tangkhul Naga students — also issued statements endorsing the picketing protest.
The CNPO recalled its earlier opposition to the Centre’s policies, including a public rally and memorandum to the Governor of Manipur on February 12. It accused the state government of continuing to disregard Naga concerns, calling the picketing “a testament to the unity and determination of the Naga people.”
The TKS, in its press release, termed the government’s moves “arbitrary and insensitive,” stating that the border fencing and scrapping of the FMR undermine local autonomy and “strike at the historical, social, and cultural fabric” of the Naga community.
Both organisations called on the public to participate actively in the protest and hold accountable those assisting the fencing works.
The CNPO laid out its key demands as follows: Immediate repeal of the border fencing project; Restoration of the Free Movement Regime (FMR); Accountability for those aiding fencing activities; and Unified action to assert and protect Naga rights and ancestral lands.
Describing the protest as “peaceful but powerful,” the supporting bodies stated, “We stand firm in our commitment to defend our land, uphold our identity, and safeguard our future.”
(With inputs from Ukhrul Times)
