SENAPATI, Feb 22: The United Naga Council (UNC) has submitted a formal appeal to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, urging immediate action on several pressing issues that affect the Naga community in the state of Manipur. The submission was made in light of the Governor’s maiden visit to Senapati District Headquarters on Saturday.

In the letter, the UNC demanded an immediate halt to the ongoing construction of physical fencing along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IBM). The Council argued that the fencing poses a threat to Naga ancestral lands, disrupts traditional community ties, and negatively impacts the region’s biodiversity. According to the UNC, the fencing impedes long-established relationships between Naga villages on both sides of the border and restricts access to ancestral lands, which has been a source of livelihood and cultural significance for generations.

Secondly, the UNC called for the reinstatement of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), a long-standing arrangement that allowed the free movement of people across the Indo-Myanmar border. The removal of the FMR, the Council stated, has severely impacted cross-border trade, healthcare, and education for Naga communities that historically live across the boundary. The UNC also demanded that the FMR’s coverage be extended from 16 km to 40 km, restoring the arrangement that existed prior to the 1950s.

In their third demand, the UNC expressed opposition to the government’s justification for fencing as a means to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The Council urged authorities to explore alternative solutions, such as the strict enforcement of citizenship laws, to address these concerns without disrupting the lives and well-being of indigenous communities.

The UNC also emphasized that any future border demarcation must be based on historical and traditional boundaries to ensure fairness and prevent conflict. They urged the government to respect the historical territorial boundaries of the Naga people to maintain peace and protect their rights.

Finally, the UNC called for the Governor’s proactive intervention in the ongoing Tripartite Talks between the Government of Manipur, the Government of India, and the UNC. The Council stressed the importance of a fair and logical resolution of the district rollback issue, urging the Governor to use his leadership to foster peace and stability in Manipur.