UKHRUL: Thousands of demonstrators marched through Ukhrul town in Manipur Wednesday to protest Union govt’s decision to scrap the free movement regime (FMR) and erect barbed-wire fencing along the India-Myanmar border. The policy shift has drawn fierce opposition from tribal communities such as the Tangkhul Naga people, who make up about 87% of Ukhrul’s population.
Participants from across the district, along with supporters from Senapati and as far as Nagaland, traversed the length of Ukhrul town, carrying placards reading, “GoI, stop playing divisive politics,” and “No fence between families”.
FMR was established in 1950, allowing 40km of visa-free movement between India and Myanmar. But the distance was reduced to 16km in 2004. It enabled tribes with shared heritage to maintain familial links.
However, concerns over security have led to calls for stricter border controls. Authorities cite FMR as a loophole exploited by insurgents for hit-and-run attacks, smugglers, and a growing influx of refugees. Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, more than 50,000 people from the neighbouring country have sought refuge in Mizoram & Manipur.
Union govt has framed the policy change as a necessary security measure, but opposition to it has been vocal. Govts of Nagaland and Mizoram, along with Naga groups in Manipur and the Kuki-Zo community, have condemned the decision, saying it will fracture communities and escalate tensions.
