The United Naga Council (UNC) has given a clarification with regard to meeting with Maharaja Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma at Imphal on 10 August 2025.
Speaking to Rural Post, General Secretary of UNC, Vareiyo Shatsnag informed that, “the meeting at Classic Grande between UNC leaders and Maharaja Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma was a courtesy interaction, not an endorsement of the event UNC had boycotted. In Naga tradition, it is not contradictory to refuse participation in a public event while still extending respect to an individual guest, especially a traditional ruler from outside. This is a matter of diplomatic conduct, not inconsistency.”
It is learnt that the meeting of UNC leaders and Maharaja Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma was arranged as the latter insisted to meet Naga leaders in Manipur seeking solidarity and also to brief on the Tripura Accord signed last year. Sources also informed that the Maharaja Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma is likely to visit Manipur again in the month of September.
Since the meeting between the Government of India and Naga Delegation led by UNC at New Delhi on 26 August 2025 cannot come to a meeting point, UNC leader informed that “as resolved in a Presidential Council meeting held on 11 August 2025, “Trade Embargo” will be launched by the first week of September 2025. Definite date and time will be announced after consulting with the stakeholders.”
The two key demands of UNC are:
1. Free Movement Regime (FMR) should be reinstated.
2. Construction of border fencing along the Naga homelands must stopped.
If at all, the Indo-Myanmar Border is to be fenced for the reason best known to the Government of India, proper demarcation of actual border line based on historical and traditional boundary should precede to any physical construction work to avoid an irreparable ramification and unprecedented uprising of the people.
The United Naga Council (UNC) has strongly opposed the ongoing construction of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing in Naga areas, calling it a violation of their traditional boundaries and an affront to their rights.
