Supongmeren Jamir slams Centre's decision to re-impose Prote
Supongmeren Jamir slams Centre's decision to re-impose Protected Area Permit and reduce Free Movement Regime
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
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.
