WEDNESDAY, MAY 07, 2025
Supongmeren Jamir slams Centre's decision to re-impose Protected Area Permit and reduce Free Movement Regime
Published on Feb 22, 2025
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- KOHIMA — Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) and President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), S Supongmeren Jamir, on Saturday said that the re-imposition of Protected Area Permit (PAP) and the reduction of Free Movement Regime (FMR) make no sense and go against the Centre’s own policies.
- Addressing a press conference in Kohima, the MP asserted that these are very serious issues.
- He said that while restrictions on tourists are one aspect of the issue, the larger concern is not just a problem for the state but an issue between the central government and international policies.
- “We are fighting so that it does not affect the state,” he said.
- He maintained that restricting the FMR from 16 km to 10 km is a serious concern, particularly for Naga society. He cited that among the Konyaks, more than 100 villages are located inside Myanmar, while many of their family members reside in Nagaland.
- Similarly, among the Khiamniungan community, more villagers reside across the border in Myanmar than in Nagaland.
- Supongmeren maintained that the government of India is aware of the sentimental concerns of the people, especially in the Northeast and among the Nagas.
- He pointed out that while the Centre is issuing permits, a centre has also been set up for issuing passes, managed by the Assam Rifles. Two Nagaland police officers and some medical officers are involved in issuing these passes.
- However, he asserted that this is a matter concerning the Naga family and is a broader issue. He emphasised that there should not be an international border wall dividing Naga brothers and sisters.
- “We are fighting for it (relaxation),” he said and expressed confidence that “definitely, the central government will consider” their concerns.
- He also highlighted that people are agitating and that the Centre is aware of how they are being affected. He assured that their grievances would be relayed inside the Parliament and that the central government would consider them.
- The MP opined that the central government may have decided to go ahead with issuing passes due to the prevailing situation.
- He asserted that the reduction of the FMR contradicts the central government’s own policies. He explained that under the ‘Look East Policy,’ later transformed into the ‘Act East Policy,’ international trade centres were established at Longwa and Pangsha.
- However, constructing an international border wall would hinder trade activities, making these trade centres meaningless when the people living along the border are affected, he said.
- Supongmeren informed that a request has been made to the central government to relax or even abolish the requirement for passes. While it may be a temporary arrangement to control the situation, he argued that in the long run, it will not make sense for the Nagas.
- Instead of imposing or issuing pass cards in the border areas, he suggested that alternative measures should be explored to strengthen security.
Nagaland Districts
