The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) has strongly condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s March 1, 2025, statement calling for the expedited construction of border fencing in Naga areas and the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border. The student body stated that such actions not only violate the historical and traditional rights of the Naga people but also threatens the social, economic and cultural fabric of our community.
TKS asserted that for centuries, the Naga people have coexisted across what it called “artificial borders imposed by colonial powers.” It emphasized that families, villages, and entire communities share deep-rooted ties that transcend these boundaries. The Free Movement Regime, the organization stated, has been crucial in maintaining these connections by allowing people to move freely on both sides of the border. The removal of this mechanism, it warned, would result in immense hardships, leading to the separation of families, the disruption of trade, and severe restrictions on traditional interactions.
The student body further described the border fencing project as a direct attack on the unity and integrity of Naga society. It asserted that such measures disregard the historical rights of the Naga people, undermine indigenous sovereignty, and impose unnecessary restrictions. TKS cautioned that these actions would only escalate tensions and lead to social unrest in the region.
Demanding an immediate halt to the border fencing project in Naga areas, the organization called for the reinstatement and full implementation of the Free Movement Regime. It also urged the Indian government to respect the traditional rights, customs, and identity of the Naga people while ensuring that any policy changes affecting their land and people involve meaningful consultation with Naga representatives.
TKS urged the Government of India to recognize the historical and cultural sensitivities of the Naga people and take steps to protect their rights rather than implement measures that would alienate and divide them. The organization also reminded Amit Shah that “Naga rights are not to be trifled with in our own kitchen.” Calling upon all Naga organizations, civil society groups, and international human rights bodies to extend their support, TKS emphasized the need to stand in solidarity against what it described as oppressive policies.
