Global Naga Forum calls border fencing 'oppressive', urges resistance

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• Chuba Ozukum speaking during the GNF seminar on FMR at NIELIT in Kohima. (EM Images)

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• KOHIMA — The Global Naga Forum (GNF) on Monday issued a ‘joint recommendation’ opposing the Government of India's decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and enforce border fencing and biometric surveillance within Naga ancestral lands along the Indo-Myanmar border.
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• The joint recommendation was endorsed by representatives of diverse Naga organisations, political parties, civil society groups, students and scholars, and solidarity partners from across Naga territories and beyond during a seminar on “Borders without consent: The Naga struggle against forced divisions and surveillance” initiated by the GNF at NIELIT, Meriema in Kohima.
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• The joint recommendation resolved to reject all fencing and surveillance imposed under the pretext of national security or drug control, to defend the Naga homeland and its people through united, cross-border collaboration, and to “resist peacefully, grounded in indigenous wisdom, international law, and the enduring unity.”
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• It stated that the Government of India must recognise that resolving the long-standing Indo-Naga political issue is of far greater importance and urgency than introducing new layers of confusion and unrest by scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

Also read: Eastern Nagaland rallies against border fencing, demands Free Movement Regime

• “The Indo-Myanmar border is an illegitimate imposition. The Naga homeland is not a buffer zone, but the ancestral land of a people who predate modern nation-states. The boundary drawn in 1952 was done without Naga consent and continues to divide our land and people”, the recommendation read.
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• Rejecting the scrapping of the FMR and biometric surveillance as “violations” of human rights and indigenous rights, it stated that such imposition on the Nagas is “oppressive” and “criminalises” the kinship ties, restricts indigenous mobility, and erodes the way of life.
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• Categorically opposing any form of border fencing or militarised infrastructure, it stated that such actions “threaten our identity and unity, turning our homeland into a zone of fear and control”.
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• “However, this moment also presents an opportunity—a call for unity. The widespread opposition expressed by all Naga political groups, civil society organisations, and student bodies must now transform into collective resistance to defend our rights and future as one people.”
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• “The right to live, trade, worship, and move freely across our ancestral land is non-negotiable. This right is not only rooted in history but is also upheld by international instruments such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).”
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• Emphasising that elected Naga leaders must stand with the people, it maintained that the state government of Nagaland and all Naga representatives—regardless of state or political affiliation—must take a firm stand against fencing and surveillance.
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• “Our unity transcends artificial borders. Whether in India or Myanmar, we reaffirm our shared destiny as one people and reject any attempt to divide us.
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• “We seek regional and international solidarity. We call upon indigenous networks, human rights defenders, and democratic institutions worldwide to stand with the Naga people and hold governments accountable to international standards,” the recommendation read.
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• In his solidarity message, Atimiu Jongs, president of the Eastern Naga Students’ Association, Myanmar, said that since time immemorial, the eastern Nagas did not recognise the border. For them, boundary was just the name of the mountains and valleys until the FMR issue came up.
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• “FMR, actually 16 km or 30 km or whatever, is not enough for us. Nagas should be free. Nagas should move freely within the Naga-inhabited areas. That’s what we want to say”, he said.
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• He also acknowledged that they heavily rely on the Nagaland side for essential goods, healthcare, and education, as well as for visiting relatives and family members.
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• “This side is like a lifeline for us because the government of Myanmar doesn’t provide enough supplies; they don’t provide enough education; they don’t give any developments, and they don’t give proper education. That's why for education and for our daily survival, most of the time we depend on the western side (Nagaland)," he said.
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• Pointing out that to get a border pass requires biometrics, a process that normally takes an hour or two, he said this poses significant challenges, especially for those seeking medical treatment or facing emergencies.
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• The 7-day validity of the border pass is particularly problematic for patients who may require longer treatment periods and students who cannot complete their education within such a short timeframe, he added.
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• Jongs requested the GNF to urge the state government to consider alternative arrangements, such as accepting Aadhaar cards, for school and college admissions.
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• Expressing concern over the scrapping of FMR, GNF co-convenor Dr. Dzuvichu Rosemary said that the biometric surveillance system and other restrictions imposed on the Naga people were like “open-air prison”.
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• “It reminds us of Gaza and many other countries that have been fenced up with borders and walls”, she said and added that Nagas cannot afford to remain silent.
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• Others who spoke (both online and offline) during the seminar included indigenous representative from Arunachal Pradesh, Prof. Paul Pimomo; independent researcher Lakpachau Siro; James Pochury from Bangkok; Augustine R from Shanghai; Athong Makury from Chiangmai; and GNF convenor Chuba Ozukum.