DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 30 (MExN): The Nagaland Indigenous Peoples Forum (NIPF) and the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) have voiced strong opposition to the central government's ongoing efforts to construct border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, particularly in the Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Churachandpur districts of Manipur.
In a joint press statement, the organizations expressed deep displeasure over the government's aggressive push to resume construction despite previous protests that had halted the project. It criticized the deployment of central forces to enforce this decision, viewing it as a blatant disregard for the concerns of Indigenous communities.
Highlighting that the construction of the border fence threatens the cultural heritage and way of life of Indigenous peoples, the organizations said the fencing not only divides villages but also restricts traditional practices and interactions with communities across the border, further eroding cultural identity.
The statement also reflected on the disappointment felt by the Northeast region’s residents following the abrupt scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which was formalized in 2018 as part of the BJP government's Act East policy. It questioned the rationale behind the BJP government's actions, suggesting that the decision appears to favor a particular community at the expense of Indigenous tribal people.
The NIPF and ZORO pointed out that the central government's approach violates the fundamental rights of Indigenous communities living along the border by neglecting necessary consultations with stakeholders and bypassing international conventions designed to protect Indigenous rights. It emphasized that India's commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) obligates the government to uphold the rights of these marginalized groups.
Calling for the Indian government to balance national security imperatives with respect for human rights, it warned that border management strategies should not disenfranchise Indigenous communities, as this could exacerbate tensions and hinder peace and development in the region. The organizations demanded an immediate halt to the construction of the border fence to safeguard the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
