Naga Tribes Unite Against Border Measures
Members of various Naga tribes and civil society groups from across Nagaland staged a mass rally in Kohima on Wednesday, April 10, 2025, to protest the Central government’s decision to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR), reinstate Restricted and Protected Area Permits (RAP/PAP), and construct fencing along the India-Myanmar border.
APO Leads Peaceful Demonstration
The peaceful protest, organized by the Angami Public Organisation (APO) at Old MLA Junction, witnessed participation from diverse sections of society. Addressing the gathering, APO president Thejao Vihienuo emphasized that Nagas have inhabited the India-Myanmar borderlands long before India’s formation. He argued that the imposition of these measures by the Government of India was unjust and violated indigenous rights.
Historical Division and FMR Erosion Highlighted
Vihienuo further pointed out that the arbitrary borders demarcation during British colonial rule had divided the Naga people without their consent, a division that persists. He noted the gradual reduction of the FMR’s permissible cross-border movement, from 40 km to 16 km in 2004, then to 10 km in 2016, before its complete abolition in February 2024. He warned that border fencing would further fragment Naga communities, with a 215-kilometer stretch along the Nagaland-Myanmar border to be fenced with nine armed gates, requiring daily passes for access to fields.
PAP Reinstatement Criticized for Hardship
The APO president also criticized the recent reinstatement of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreigners, stating that such policies would exacerbate the difficulties faced by border-dwelling Nagas. He asserted that the rally was just the beginning and warned against mistaking their democratic rights for weakness. He announced that a memorandum would be submitted to the union Home minister through the Governor of Nagaland.
Border Community Shares Ground Realities
Representing Longwa village in Mon district, Khampei Konyak highlighted the unique situation of communities straddling the international border. He explained that Longwa existed before India’s independence and remains a unified entity despite being divided by border pillars, with even the Angh’s house bisected. He questioned accusations of arms smuggling, pointing to the struggle for basic necessities. Konyak also raised concerns about a newly discovered plan to build a fence near the Arunachal border and urged political parties to join the movement.
“Inhuman Treatment” Alleged by Border Resident
P.Shingya from Dan village in Noklak district described the restrictions as “inhuman treatment” against the Naga people, emphasizing their presence in the hills before the naming of India or Burma. He recounted the undercover erection of border pillars in Pangsha in 1971 without local consultation and alleged that villagers were misled during a 2016 survey, believing it was for road construction only to find it was for fencing. He claimed that 6,500 hectares of land were being taken away, impacting crucial agricultural and livestock practices.
Legal Perspective on Indigenous Rights
Timikha Koza addressed the legal aspects, stating that Nagas are the original inhabitants and have governed their lands based on tradition and customary law long before modern nation-states. He argued that the FMR is linked to colonial and post-colonial injustices and warned that fencing would criminalize the natural movement of Nagas within their ancestral lands, half of which lies in Myanmar. He urged the Government of India to engage with local communities before implementing such policies, asserting the people’s right to live, work, and move freely in their own land.
Tribal Unions Express Solidarity
Shiwoto Wotsa, president of Sumi Hoho Kohima, delivered a solidarity message on behalf of all tribal unions in Kohima, reaffirming their collective support for the affected Naga communities. He emphasized the peaceful coexistence and deep ties of Nagas on both sides of the border for generations, stating that the new restrictions have disrupted this harmony and caused suffering. He appealed to the Government of India to reconsider its decision, restore the FMR, halt border fencing, and revoke PAP/RAP regimes.
Rally Concludes with Memorandum Submission
The rally concluded with the submission of a memorandum to be forwarded to the union home minister, articulating the collective demands and grieva
Memorandum Demands Policy Reversal
Following the rally, tribal leaders jointly submitted a representation to the union home minister through the Governor of Nagaland, strongly opposing the recent policy decisions regarding the India-Myanmar border. They demanded an immediate halt to border fencing plans, the restoration of the FMR in its original form, and the withdrawal of the PAP system in Nagaland.
“Coordinated Attempt” to Restrict Naga Movement Alleged
The representation, endorsed by 19 tribal leaders, expressed deep concern over the “far-reaching consequences” for indigenous Nagas in the borderlands. Referring to the Union Home Minister’s announcement, they stated that these decisions would uproot Naga people from their ancestral lands. They highlighted the revised border pass system limiting movement to 10 km and the withdrawal of PAP relaxation, terming these “back-to-back decisions” a “coordinated attempt” to restrict Naga movement in their own ancestral lands. They warned that Nagas crossing the 10-km limit could be prosecuted under the Foreigners Act, calling it an assault on their historical and cultural rights.
Historical Rights and Colonial Legacy Emphasized
The tribal leaders emphasized their historical establishment in the Naga Hills before India’s formation and asserted that colonial-era border divisions were imposed without their consent and never accepted. They noted that the FMR was initially intended to respect the traditional way of life of border communities, allowing greater movement, and likened the current policies to colonial oppression focused on territorial control rather than the welfare of indigenous communities.
Demands for Revocation and Restoration
The signatories strongly demanded the revocation of the new “border pass” system, calling it “unacceptable” and akin to needing permission to move within one’s own home. They reiterated their opposition to border fencing as a further division of their land and people, violating their indigenous rights, and urged the restoration of the FMR in its original form.
Concerns Over PAP’s Impact
The tribal leaders also called for the immediate withdrawal of the PAP/RAP system in Nagaland, warning that combined with the border pass system, it forms a “lethal combination” that could be misused and pose threats to innocent people. They further cautioned that PAP would negatively impact Nagaland’s growing tourism industry, particularly the attendance of foreign tourists at cultural festivals.
Call for Government Consideration
The tribal leaders urged the Government of India to give due consideration to their concerns and take immediate corrective measures to address the issues raised.