The Rising People’s Party (RPP) on Tuesday demanded all the Naga MLAs, including the Naga MLAs of Manipur, and the MPs of Manipur and Nagaland, and the major political parties in the UDA coalition government to oppose the scrapping of Free Movement Regime (FMR) in totality.
In a press release, the RPP expressed dissatisfaction over the silence of the Naga MPs, MLAs and political leaders of both Nagaland and Manipur.
“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?,” questioned the party.
RPP also exuded dismay over the failure of the 10 Naga MLAs and 1 MP (Naga) of Manipur to express their views on the issue, adding that only the United Naga Council (UNC) has written a memorandum to the Union Home Minister opposing the move and calling for strengthening of FMR.
“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,” stated RPP. 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,” stated the RPP.
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The party however welcomed the move to discuss the FMR issue with the other North Eastern states bordering Myanmar as disclosed by the Dy. Chief Minister Y. Patton.
The party also accused the BJP legislator Imkong Imchen as traitorous for backing the Centre’s move to end the FMR. “The act of merely pleasing the BJP high Command at the expense of Naga sentiments is totally uncalled for and deserve outright condemnation,” viewed the RPP.
In this regard, the Party demanded 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, “ mentioned the Party adding that it will not remain a mute spectator and will continue to oppose any policy that aims to further divide the Naga People.
