United Naga Council announces trade embargo in Naga areas of Manipur from September 8

DIMAPUR — The United Naga Council (UNC) has announced that a trade embargo will be enforced across all Naga areas of Manipur beginning midnight of September 8.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the decision was taken during its presidential council meeting held on August 11. The embargo, it maintained, will continue “until further notification.”

The council stated that the move follows repeated representations, rallies, and demonstrations against the government of India’s unilateral abrogation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the construction of border fencing in Naga areas.

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Despite submitting memoranda and press statements since January 2024, the UNC stated that the government’s “indifferent attitude” had compelled them to adopt stronger measures.

“The trade embargo is a movement of the Naga conscience for restoring our rights, culture, traditional ties and the fight for a dignified future of the Naga peoples,” the statement read.

Appealing for cooperation, the UNC urged Naga communities in Manipur and “Naga brethren without borders” to extend solidarity to the agitation. It also requested the understanding of the general public who may be affected.