North East Unity in Peril: All-Party Delegation to Confront Amit Shah over Free Movement Regime Fears
As the Indian government continues to shake up its borders, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has spoken out against the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar. In a recent address to the state Assembly, Rio announced that an all-party delegation would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to deliberated on the issue and convey the concerns of the Naga people.
The FMR, which was introduced in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy, allowed individuals residing along the India-Myanmar border to cross every 16 kilometers without a visa. However, the government has since announced new guidelines, limiting cross-border movement to 10 kilometers and restricting it to 43 designated crossing points, including nine in Nagaland. These changes, Rio warned, would lead to significant disruptions in the daily lives of Naga communities on both sides of the border, impacting their social, cultural, and economic ties.
Rio emphasized that the restrictions would not only affect trade and commerce but also the well-being of families who frequently cross the border for agricultural work, schooling, and medical care. “Humanitarian considerations must be central to any policy alterations,” he stressed. As such, he proposed that he would lead the all-party delegation to meet Minister Shah at the earliest to raise the issue before him and ensure that their voices are heard. The move is seen as a bid to put pressure on the government to reconsider its decision and prioritize the welfare of the people affected.
The 1,643-kilometer India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, has been a contentious issue in recent years. The FMR was seen as a key step in strengthening ties between the two nations, but its scrapping has sent shockwaves through the region. Rio’s move is a testament to the importance of diplomatic relations and the need to put the needs of the people first. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the people of Nagaland will not go down without a fight, and Rio’s determination to lead the charge is a sign of the resilience and determination of the state’s people.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/nagaland/nagaland-all-party-delegation-to-meet-amit-shah-over-free-movement-regime/21434/
Category : Nagaland,Free movement regime (FMR),Home Minister Amit Shah,Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio
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Publish Date: 2025-03-08 10:41:00
