India-Myanmar Border Fencing and Free Movement Regime (FMR) Meeting

The meeting between the Manipur Naga delegation and Central government officials regarding the India-Myanmar border fencing and Free Movement Regime (FMR) ended inconclusively. It took place in New Delhi on August 26, 2025.

Delegation and Central Representation

• The delegation comprised 11 members from the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women’s Union, and All-Naga Students’ Association, Manipur.
• The Central team was led by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (Northeast) to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Key Issues Discussed

• The Naga delegation demanded: 
  1. Reinstatement of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
  2. An immediate halt to the India-Myanmar border fencing work.
• The Central government justified both the removal of FMR and the fencing project, citing national security concerns.

Concerns Raised by the Naga Delegation

• The traditional boundary of the Naga-inhabited areas extends up to the Chindwin River in Myanmar, necessitating border corrections before fencing.
• A significant Naga population resides across the border, especially in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division.
• The Naga leaders stated that the decisions against the FMR and fence erection contradict the Indo-Naga peace talks' spirit.

Historical Context and Impact

• In a memorandum to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the UNC emphasized: 
  1. The Nagas have shared ethnic and familial ties across the India-Myanmar border.
  2. These ties predate colonial boundary demarcations and are vital to their identity and lifestyle.
  3. The abrupt abrogation of FMR and border fencing disrupted natural community and familial relationships.

Free Movement Regime (FMR) History

• Established in 1968, the FMR initially permitted movement within 40 km from the boundary line on either side.
• The territorial limit was reduced to 16 km in 2004 and further tightened to 10 km recently.