<p>Guwahati: In a display of growing anger against the Centre's move to fence India's border with Myanmar, hundreds of Nagas took to the streets of Nagaland capital Kohima on Wednesday demanding a rethink on the decision and restoration of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) system.</p><p>The Union Home Minister Amit Shah in February 2024 had announced that the Centre decided to fence the 1,643km border with Myanmar in order to check illegal migrations and cross border criminal activities.</p>.Harmful modern fishing replacing sustainable traditional fishing practices of Naga tribes.<p>Shah made the announcement amid the Meitei-Kuki conflict in neighbouring in Manipur and increasing demand by the majority Meitei community for fencing the border. The Centre also scrapped the FMR that allowed the local communities to travel within 16kms on both sides without any travel documents. </p><p>Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share the border with Myanmar, most of which has remained unfenced allowing free movement of people. </p><p>As the Centre started fencing work in Manipur, Nagas, Kukis and Mizos roared in anger saying the fence would divide the local tribes, who live on both sides of the border.</p><p>"For the Nagas living in the India-Myanmar borderland, the international border is just an imaginary line. Since time immemorial, the Nagas have considered the India-Myanmar borderlands as one social, cultural and economic space. Today, forcing our people to obtain a border pass to move in their own land is unacceptable as it is tantamount to taking permission to move around in one's own house," the Naga protesters said in a memorandum submitted to Shah, on Wednesday.</p><p>Leaders of at least 20 organisations representing all the Naga tribes signed the memorandum as hundreds staged the protest at Kohima. "The decision to fence was taken without asking the owner of the land," one of the protesters shouted as others reciprocated in support. "The decision has been taken without any respect and utter violations of the indigenous people of Nagaland." </p><p>The organisations which joined the protest included: Angami Public Organisation, Konyak Union Kohima, Kohima Lotha Hoho, Chakhesang Hoho Kohima, Sangtam Union Kohima, Rengma Public Organisation Kohima, Tikhir Union Kohima, Chang Union Kohima, Khiamniungam Union Kohima, Maram Union, Kohima, Poumai Naga Union Kohima, Tangkhul Union Kohima, Yimkhiung Union Kohima, Pochury Union Kohima, Nagaland Zeliang People's Organisation Kohima, Kohima Ao Union, Phom Union Kohima, Kohima Sumi Hoho and Mao Union Kohima. </p><p><br>The protesters demanded a halt in the fencing work and restoration of the FMR. The Naga organisations also opposed the Centre's decision to introduce Protected Area Permit system for the foreigners saying such a move would severely impact tourism in Nagaland.</p><p>They claim that the border line between India and Myanmar was drawn after the Independence without taking the local communities into confidence. </p>
<p>Guwahati: In a display of growing anger against the Centre's move to fence India's border with Myanmar, hundreds of Nagas took to the streets of Nagaland capital Kohima on Wednesday demanding a rethink on the decision and restoration of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) system.</p><p>The Union Home Minister Amit Shah in February 2024 had announced that the Centre decided to fence the 1,643km border with Myanmar in order to check illegal migrations and cross border criminal activities.</p>.Harmful modern fishing replacing sustainable traditional fishing practices of Naga tribes.<p>Shah made the announcement amid the Meitei-Kuki conflict in neighbouring in Manipur and increasing demand by the majority Meitei community for fencing the border. The Centre also scrapped the FMR that allowed the local communities to travel within 16kms on both sides without any travel documents. </p><p>Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share the border with Myanmar, most of which has remained unfenced allowing free movement of people. </p><p>As the Centre started fencing work in Manipur, Nagas, Kukis and Mizos roared in anger saying the fence would divide the local tribes, who live on both sides of the border.</p><p>"For the Nagas living in the India-Myanmar borderland, the international border is just an imaginary line. Since time immemorial, the Nagas have considered the India-Myanmar borderlands as one social, cultural and economic space. Today, forcing our people to obtain a border pass to move in their own land is unacceptable as it is tantamount to taking permission to move around in one's own house," the Naga protesters said in a memorandum submitted to Shah, on Wednesday.</p><p>Leaders of at least 20 organisations representing all the Naga tribes signed the memorandum as hundreds staged the protest at Kohima. "The decision to fence was taken without asking the owner of the land," one of the protesters shouted as others reciprocated in support. "The decision has been taken without any respect and utter violations of the indigenous people of Nagaland." </p><p>The organisations which joined the protest included: Angami Public Organisation, Konyak Union Kohima, Kohima Lotha Hoho, Chakhesang Hoho Kohima, Sangtam Union Kohima, Rengma Public Organisation Kohima, Tikhir Union Kohima, Chang Union Kohima, Khiamniungam Union Kohima, Maram Union, Kohima, Poumai Naga Union Kohima, Tangkhul Union Kohima, Yimkhiung Union Kohima, Pochury Union Kohima, Nagaland Zeliang People's Organisation Kohima, Kohima Ao Union, Phom Union Kohima, Kohima Sumi Hoho and Mao Union Kohima. </p><p><br>The protesters demanded a halt in the fencing work and restoration of the FMR. The Naga organisations also opposed the Centre's decision to introduce Protected Area Permit system for the foreigners saying such a move would severely impact tourism in Nagaland.</p><p>They claim that the border line between India and Myanmar was drawn after the Independence without taking the local communities into confidence. </p>