The Union government's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border entirely has come under criticism by various Naga and Mizo organizations from Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The organisations argue that the fencing will harm the ethnic ties and economic exchanges that were possible earlier because of the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The Ministry of Home Affairs decided to end the FMR in February 2024 to enhance internal security and prevent alleged illegal immigration.
The FMR is a border arrangement between India and Myanmar that allows tribes from either side of the border to travel up to 16 km into the other country without a visa. This was done owing to the shared ethnic and cultural kinship among the tribes living along this international border.
The Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), an apex body representing five major tribes—Angami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma, and Zeliang—warned that the fencing would isolate their community and disrupt access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
"The fence is not just a physical barrier, it is an assault on our identity, heritage, and dignity," said Kekhwengulo Lea, the president of the Tenyimi Union Nagaland.
The United Naga Council has also opposed the fencing, particularly in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. The council argues that the fencing violates traditional Naga boundaries and disregards the rights of local communities. On 15 January 2025, the UNC also conducted a site inspection along with the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), and other regional bodies. In its statement, the UNC stated, “The proposed fencing through Naga areas is unacceptable. It further fragments our people and isolates them from the rest of India.”
Organizations from Mizoram, including the Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO) and the Joint Hnampual Students' Organization, have also voiced their opposition to the fencing. ZORO led multiple demonstrations in January 2025 across Aizawl, Champhai, Serchhip, Lunglei, Kolasib, and in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, advocating for the reinstatement of the FMR.
On 28 February 2024, the Mizoram Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution opposing the decision to scrap the FMR. Similarly, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly also adopted a resolution on 1 March 2024, to keep the FMR.
The situation in the border has remained tense in the wake of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs reintroduced the Protected Area Regime, which requires foreigners to obtain Protected Area Permits to visit Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
Although the Home Minister announced the suspension of the FMR, the Ministry of External Affairs was yet to formalize this. Instead, a stricter version of the FMR was introduced in December 2024. The new regulations require individuals to complete a biometric registration linked to the National Data Centre before entering India. The Assam Rifles has been tasked with monitoring the movement through 43 designated entry points, of which only 22 are currently operational. Passes issued under the new system are valid for seven days and must be surrendered upon return at the same point.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Type of Land
Common
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other environmental services, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Ministry of Homa Affairs, Government of India, Government of Nagaland, Government of Mizoram, Government of Manipur
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Tenyimi Union Nagaland; United Naga Council; Chandel Naga People’s Organisation; All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur; Zo Reunification Organization; Students' Organization,
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
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