IT News
Ukhrul, April 2:
Ukhrul witnessed a massive rally on Wednesday, with over ten thousand people gathering in protest against border fencing and the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The demonstration, one of the largest in decades, was organized by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) in collaboration with various Tangkhul frontal organizations and under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in southern Nagalim.
The rally began from two locations, Dungrei, Hundung in the north, and Kharasom Junction in the south, with both processions covering approximately seven kilometers before converging at the District Headquarters ground in Wino, Ukhrul town. Participants carried banners with slogans such as “No Fence Between Families!” “No Solution, No Rest!” and “Nagas Without Borders!” The messages reinforced the community’s opposition to border fencing and the revocation of FMR.
TNL President Qr. Sword Vashum expressed gratitude for the large turnout and called for divine blessings on the movement. He reaffirmed the importance of protecting the Naga identity and their ancestral land. Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing emphasized the historical context of the issue, citing the Treaty of Yandabo and the McMahon Line, and argued that the Chindwin River in Myanmar is an integral part of the Naga homeland. He stressed that border fencing should be postponed until all border pillars are accurately marked.
Minister Kashim Vashum highlighted that the Naga people have historically lived freely in their ancestral lands, engaging in unrestricted trade and social interactions. He urged the authorities to acknowledge the community’s history and way of life. Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, unable to attend due to prior commitments, was represented by his Public Relations Officer at the event.
United Naga Council (UNC) President Eno Lorho accused the Indian government of disregarding the Naga struggle and imposing artificial boundaries, which he said were the root causes of conflict. He warned that the government would bear responsibility for any repercussions if the decision was not reversed. Neingolu Khrome, Secretary General of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), criticized past injustices and called for unity in defending Naga land and rights. He compared government-imposed restrictions to absurd rules, arguing that they unfairly limit fundamental freedoms.
Naga Hoho Vice President David Boyes urged the community to remain steadfast, asserting that divine guidance and unity would protect their cause. Dr. Rose Mery, Convenor of the Global Naga Forum, argued that the Act East Policy prioritizes military expansion over the welfare of the Northeast. She called on the Naga people to rise in defense of their homeland, warning that inaction would reduce them to servitude in their own land.
The rally saw participation from representatives of the Naga Women’s Union (NWU) Nagaland, Naga Women’s Union Manipur (NWUM), NPMHR (South), and the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM). Village headmen from across Tangkhul areas and leaders from neighboring Naga regions joined in solidarity against the proposed border fencing and the revocation of FMR.
The scale of the rally and the impassioned speeches from Naga leaders highlighted the community’s strong opposition to external efforts to divide them. The demonstration in Ukhrul sent a clear message: the Naga identity cannot be confined by fences, and the struggle for their rightful homeland will continue with unwavering determination.