Imphal: United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur, says the Nagas cannot accept construction of Indo-Myanmar border fence in Naga areas.
This was stated by UNC president Ng Lorho after a delegation led by him met governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan here, on Saturday.
“The demand of the Nagas remains unchanged. We demand correction of the border so that fencing can be done along the traditional boundary with Myanmar. We are not against border fencing, but we do not want it to be constructed on Naga land,” Lorho told reporters.
The Naga apex body and the governor to hold another round of talks within three days to further deliberate on the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the Indo-Myanmar border fencing.
Lorho said the government had invited them following the expiry of a 20-day ultimatum served to both the Manipur government and the Government of India regarding the unilateral abrogation of FMR and construction of border fencing in Naga areas.
During the meeting, the governor assured the delegation that talks with the central government would be facilitated soon. “We will remain firm on our stand, whether or not we are invited for the next round of talks,” Lorho said.
He cautioned that the Naga apex body would launch and continue agitation until their demands are addressed.
In a public statement issued on August 11, UNC had warned that the “indifferent attitude of the government demands stringent action to address and redress our grievances.” The council said it would announce the mode of agitation within 15 days if its concerns were not resolved.
Reports said Manipur shares a 398-km border with Myanmar. So far, fencing has been completed along a 9-km stretch in Moreh, while another 21 km of fencing and road construction is in progress. The free movement limit, earlier 40 km, was reduced to 16 km in 2004 and remains at that level.
