Don't scrap FMR in Naga areas : ANSAM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 1:  A team of the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) led by its president M Luikang Luckson and six others called on Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan today and submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister through the Governor demanding reversal of the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and reinstate the same in Naga areas along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The team said, the reintroduction of FMR allowing the tribal living along the border to travel upto 16 km on either side of the country without a visa during 2018 under Modi-led BJP regime was a welcome step that alleviated the hardship and enhanced the livelihood of the people residing along the borders. But the decision to scrap FMR shocked the people along the border.
Suggesting mechanism to curb the menace of illegal immigrants and insurgency, they said, strict implementation of ILP and NRC, and constitution of Population Commission will yield good results rather than border fencing and scrapping of FMR.
The representatives also expressed their concern about the ongoing unrest in the State as they said, it also affects Naga people.
They said the Centre and the State Government should solve the issue at the earliest.
They requested the Governor to put forward their concerns to the Union Home Minister.
Anusuiya Uikey said that the issues of illegal immigrants and insurgency were discussed in the NEC meeting held recently at Shillong and the Centre is taking it seriously.
She said she would forward their proposal to the Union Home Minister and will also talk to him in this regard.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club after their meeting with the Governor, ANSAM (tribunal) leader AC Thotso claimed that the Indo-Myanmar boundary is a ‘historically imaginary’ line.
He said that scrapping of FMR on the pretext of checking illegal immigrants and insurgency is unacceptable to ANSAM.
“We condemn the scrapping of FMR for it will have severe impacts on Nagas living along the border. We request the Government of India to review the decision to scrap FMR”, AC Thotso said.
ANSAM supports and appreciates the  steps taken up by the Government of India to check illegal immigration into Manipur but sealing the border and putting restrictions on movement of people would not be able to stop illegal immigration and rise of immigrant population, he said.
He exuded confidence that updating the NRC with respect to Manipur with 1951 as the base year can effectively check illegal immigration in the State.
Establishment of population commission and proper implementation of Inner Line Permit System can also be effective tools for checking illegal immigration, Thotso said.
Sincerity of security personnel guarding the borders is also essential for checking illegal immigration, he said.
The plan to fence the 1643 Kms long Indo-Myanmar border and permanently seal the international border sounds illogical, he remarked.
It will have severe impacts on the Naga people as well as on biodiversity and ecosystem, he said.
The recent move of Government of India to scrap FMR and fence borderlines is self-contradictory because India is also one of the signatories of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 (UNDRP) wherein the Article 36 recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples divided by international borders to maintain and develop contacts with their peoples across the border, particularly for spiritual, cultural and economic purposes,  he said.      
ANSAM president M Luikang Luckson urged the Centre to pay special attention and bring peace in Manipur if the State Government is unable to maintain law and order.
Saying that Nagas have been making every effort to bring peace in Manipur, he appealed to one and all to forget the bygones and work together to bring peace in the coming days.
He also mentioned that many Nagas were subjected to physical harassment in the course of the ongoing conflict.
ANSAM general secretary Angtesang Maring urged the Government to look into the infrastructure of colleges and schools located in the Naga areas.
He also urged the Government to send adequate number of teachers and medical staff to health centres located in hill districts.
Meanwhile, United Zou Organisation and the Kuki Chiefs’ Association Tengnoupal too have expressed strong opposition against scrapping FMR and fencing the Indo-Myanmar boundary.