The Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) has said that Naga politicians supporting the Central Government in its decision to suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border is regrettable and a disrespect towards the Naga people who have been living across the boundary for centuries.

In a press release, ENSA President Atimiu Makury and General Secretary Soktoo said that the broader consensus of the Naga community does not share the sentiments of these politicians and “asserted and reminded again that neither India nor Burma has the right to dictate the future of the Nagas or impose boundary in Naga soil.”

The Association highlighted that the Naga people have for time immemorial traversed mountains, ridges, and rivers without a care for the arbitrary international boundary that was executed without Naga Consent in 1953. “… suspension of FMR on the grounds of countering drug trafficking and illegal activities is deemed a feeble pretext, concealing Delhi’s hidden agenda against the Nagas,” ENSA further said.

ENSA urged the Government of India “to engage in meaningful dialogue with common Naga leaders, politicians, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders” in this regard so that the peace and stability in the border areas can be preserved “without jeopardizing the lives and aspirations of the Naga people, who are united as one.”