Date: January 23, 2024: The Rising People’s Party (RPP) strongly opposes the Union Government’s decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and construct fencing along the entire Indo-Myanmar Border. This policy is perceived as divisive, aiming to isolate the Naga People and other ethnic groups of the Northeast geographically. The RPP, along with various Naga civil society organizations, including the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the Global Naga Forum (GNF), the Naga Hoho, and the Naga Indigenous People’s Forum, has consistently voiced its opposition to this move.
While the sentiment of the Naga People has been expressed through various channels, it is disheartening to note the silence of most MLAs and the two MPs on this crucial issue. With the exception of NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon and Home Minister Y Patton, the remaining elected representatives have either chosen to remain silent or supported the removal of FMR, which could have devastating effects on the future of the Nagas.
The RPP appreciates the Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton’s disclosure of the move to discuss the FMR issue with other North Eastern states bordering Myanmar. However, the party urges all Naga MLAs, including those from Manipur, and MPs to express their views on the matter. The party condemns BJP legislator Imkong Imchen’s support for the Centre’s move to end the FMR, considering it as traitorous and an act that prioritizes pleasing the BJP high command over Naga sentiments.
The RPP demands that all Naga MLAs, MPs, and major political parties in the UDA coalition government oppose the scrapping of FMR unequivocally. The party emphasizes that this issue determines whether the elected representatives stand with the Naga people or not. The UDA coalition government must demonstrate its commitment to the Naga people beyond party politics, and the RPP pledges to vehemently oppose any policy that aims to further divide the Naga People.
PRESS RELEASE
The Union Government’s intention to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and construct fencing along the entire Indo-Myanmar Border is a divisive policy intended to disintegrate and isolate Naga People and other ethnic groups of the Northeast geographically. Since its announcement, the Rising People’s Party as well as many Naga civil society organisations including the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the Global Naga Forum (GNF), the Naga Hoho and the Naga Indigeneous People’s Forum has voiced strong opposition against the proposed move. Much has been said on the issue and the sentiment of the Naga People has been expressed. But the Silence of most of the MLAs and the 2 MPs comes as no surprise. Except for the NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon and Home Minister Y Patton , the other remaining elected MLAs and MPs have chosen to either remain silent and sit on the issue or support the removal of FMR that will have a deep devastating effect on the future of the Nagas. However, the move to discuss the FMR issue with the other North Eastern states bordering Myanmar as disclosed by the Dy. Chief Minister Y. Patton is a welcome step.
It is also distressing to witness that the 10 Naga MLAs and 1 MP (Naga) of Manipur have not expressed their views on the issue though the United Naga Council (UNC) has written a memorandum to the Union Home Minister opposing the move and calling for strengthening of FMR.
While the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made the Official announcement in Guwahati on January 20, neither the NDPP-BJP coalition nor the state government has made any official statement on the issue. So what exactly is stopping our elected representatives from expressing the desire of the Naga People to the Central Government? The BJP legislator Imkong Imchen backing the Centre’s move to end the FMR is traitorous. The act of merely pleasing the BJP high Command at the expense of Naga sentiments is totally uncalled for and deserve outright condemnation.
The RPP demands that all the Naga MLAs, including the Naga MLAs of Manipur, and the MPs of the two states, and the major political parties in the UDA coalition government oppose the scrapping of FMR in totality. The issue is simple – whether the sitting MLAs and MPs and government of the day is with the Naga people or not. The UDA coalition government has much to do to demonstrate beyond doubt that it is above party politics and that it stands for the Naga People. The Rising Peoples Party will not remain a mute spectator and will continue to oppose tooth and nail any policy that aims to further divide the Naga People.
Rising People’s Party
January 23, 2024