Imphal, August 16: The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Apex Body, has reiterated its strong opposition to the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing project in Naga areas, declaring that it will not accept any construction on traditional Naga land.

The statement came after a UNC delegation led by its president Ng Lorho met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Saturday to press their demands.

“The demand of the Nagas remains unchanged. We are not against border fencing, but we cannot allow it to be carried out through Naga areas. We demand correction of the border so that fencing can be done along the traditional boundary with Myanmar,” Lorho told reporters after the meeting.

The UNC and the Governor agreed to hold another round of talks within three days to deliberate further on the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the fencing issue. According to Lorho, the meeting was called after the expiry of a 20-day ultimatum issued by the UNC to both the Manipur government and the Government of India over the unilateral abrogation of FMR and border fencing in Naga territories.

Governor Bhalla assured the delegation that discussions with the central government would be arranged within two to three days. “We will remain firm on our stand, whether or not we are invited for the next round of talks,” Lorho said.

Warning of escalated action, the UNC chief said the Naga apex body would launch and sustain agitation until its demands are met.

In a public statement on August 11, the UNC had already cautioned that the government’s “indifferent attitude demands stringent action to address and redress our grievances,” adding that it would announce its mode of agitation within 15 days if concerns were not addressed.

Reports indicate that Manipur shares a 398-km border with Myanmar. So far, fencing has been completed along a 9-km stretch near Moreh, with an additional 21 km under construction alongside road development. The free movement limit, once 40 km, was reduced to 16 km in 2004 and remains in effect.

The UNC insists that unless the government respects traditional Naga boundaries, no fencing will be tolerated in their areas.