The United Naga Council (UNC) – the apex civil organisation of Nagas in Manipur have called for “Trade Embargo” in Nagas Areas with effective from 8 September 2025 until further orders.
In a statement issued by H. James Hau, Information & Publicity Secretary, UNC has called to all the Nagas to remain vigilant and stand firm together as we resist this gross injustice
Indo- Myanmar Border and Free Movement Regime (FMR)
Following the February 6, 2024 decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India to fence the 1643 km long imaginary Boundary between India- Myanmar and paving a patrol tract for surveillance along the border, the Cabinet Committee on Security has approved a proposal worth INR. 31,000 crores in March 2024, for the same. If and when this project is materialised, more than 1000 (one thousand) Km of Naga homeland along the so called three northeastern states of India namely Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh will be physically bifurcated cutting all ties with our own people of the east, Nagas of Burma/Myanmar.
The FMR was conceptualized and implemented in 1950 and further restructured in 1968 allowing movement for inhabitants across both sides of the border without a visa. The territorial limit of free movement of people was up to 40 km then. The limit was reduced to 16 km in 2004. In February 2024 FMR was entirely suspended. Union MHA in December finalised fresh protocol to regulate the movement of people and limited the distance radius to only within 10 km of the unfenced international border. During the dialogue between the United Naga Council (UNC) and Government of India (GOI) on August 26, 2025 at New Delhi, the later opined that security concern of India is paramount and that abrogation of FMR and border fencing is necessitated to check illegal immigrants, smuggling of drugs and proliferation of firearms from across the border. And hence the Government of India has started to implement the project as planned without considering the traditional land rights of the Nagas. Fencing work has begun in the Nagas land of Chandel District (Tengnoupal areas), Manipur.
Position of the Nagas
The Imaginary International Boundary between India and Myanmar along the Nagas homeland was arbitrarily demarcated. Naga people living straddled across the border did not recognize its legitimacy. There is no land Boundary line between India and Myanmar within the Naga Homeland. In the west, the traditional land boundary of the Naga Nation with others lies in the Brahmaputra Basin and beyond the Chindwin river valley in the east. Any negotiation for demarcation or regularization of international boundaries with the Naga people can be initiated based on the above historically verifiable stated position of the Nagas. Nagas will not accept any land alienation policy whatsoever.
Why Trade Embargo?
Free Movement Regime is a necessary evil that the Naga People have lived with for so many years now. Like any other oppressive legislations of the Government of India, it is a deliberate ploy to harass and alienate the inhabitants living in close proximity along the areas where it is enforced. Why should one seek permission to move freely in their own backyard or be under constant surveillance? It violates all civility and fairness norms in the conduct of a sane and democratic society. It is a reflection of insensitivity and hatred towards not only Naga people but humanity as a whole.
The sole motives to adhere to such questionable regime is to usurp and divide our land, people and discredit the Naga movement for our birthright, an attempt to curb and impede the growth, progress of the Nagas, dishounouring and defiling the UN Declaration on the Rights of IPs of 2007 that affirms to respect the rights of free movement for Indigenous people living across international borders. Not contented with continued implementation of the invasive FMR, the Government of India has decided to erect concrete barriers to permanently curb physical connections and mobility between kindred Nagas impacting their culture and ancestry in their own land. This is an inhuman act.
Demand of the Naga People
1. Free, Prior and Informed consent of the Naga people must be obtained for any project affecting the Nagas and their land.
2. No imposition of movement restrictions along the so called international Indo-Myanmar border.
3. Stop detention, harassment and surveillance activities along the imaginary border areas within the Naga homeland.
4. Abrogate the Border fencing project across the Naga homeland.
5. Earnestly pursue the INDO- NAGA peace process and focus on early settlement.
An Appeal for Solidarity and Participation
Though the Naga people were caught at the receiving end of an onslaught continuously, we have withstood the forces of tyranny that seeks to destroy us. The abrogation of FMR and planned border fencing project of the Government of India is an ill-intended policy aimed at weakening our movement for oneness and freedom. Now that the cover is blown, we know we would be in for big time trouble if we do not resist this grand divisive plan. At stake is the survival of the Naga people as a Nation. This is again a Declaration of war on the Naga people and hence we have rightly resolved to rise to the occasion. Every Naga has understood the possible implications and enormity of the situation we are in right now. Hence, United Naga Council (UNC) urges all Nagas to remain vigilant and stand firm together as we resist this gross injustice. As everyone is aware, our serious concerns expressed through numerous memoranda, protest rallies and talks have been ignored by the Government of India. The Trade Embargo imposed by the Nagas this time will impact everyone and may create inconveniences wherever it is implemented. However, this democratic and non violent form of agitation is the expressed desire of the aggrieved Naga people and that we hope will eventually yield the desired result in good time. It is the beginning of the Naga peoples Non Cooperation Movement that will be relentlessly followed by many such actions until our grievances are addressed satisfactorily. We appeal to all democratic organizations and conscientious individuals to lend utmost support and participate in this movement for justice and dignified future of the Naga Peoples.
