Imphal, July 22: The Naga apex Civil Society Organizations, consisting of the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights-South (NPMHR-S), have served a 20-day ultimatum for redressal against the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime and the ongoing border fencing construction in the Naga ancestral homeland.Ukhrul travel guide.

The ultimatum was served to Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India; Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India; and Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence, Government of India, through the Governor of Manipur on Tuesday.

The statement stated that they submit the ultimatum with deep concern and anguish, expressing their strong resentment against the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the imaginary Indo-Myanmar border and the accelerated ongoing border fencing construction across the ancestral Naga homeland without due consultation with the affected indigenous communities and in violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly Articles 8, 26, and 36 thereof, which have been endorsed by India.

The ultimatum placed on record that a considerable number of press statements have been issued, picketing of government offices in Naga-inhabited areas has been undertaken, public demonstrations of protest and rallies have been held in the Naga hill districts, and memoranda have been submitted to register their stiff opposition to the abrogation of FMR and the construction of border fencing across the Naga ancestral homeland. Some of the references were given as follows:

Memorandum submitted to the Union Home Minister, Government of India, on January 19, 2024, through the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati District, Manipur, by the UNC.

Memorandum submitted to the Union Home Minister of India through the Governor of Manipur on February 1, 2025, by ANSAM.

Rally held at Chandel District and a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India on February 12, 2025, through the Deputy Commissioner by Chandel Naga People’s Organization (CNPO), Naga Students’ Union, Chandel (NSUC), and Naga Chief Association, Chandel.

Rally at Kamjong and a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur on February 21, 2025, by the Tangkhul Naga Zingsho Longphang.

Mass rally at Ukhrul organized by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) under the aegis of UNC and submission of a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on April 2, 2025, through the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul District, by TNL, TNAL, TSL, TKS, TMNL, TNZL, Tangkhul Naga Ato Longphang, Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang, and Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang.

Memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur on May 2, 2025, by UNC.

Memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur on February 26, 2025, by ANSAM.

Memorandum submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister of India, and Home Minister of India through the Governor of Manipur on June 20, 2025, by ANSAM.

Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Union Home Minister of India, and the Governor of Manipur through the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, on June 20, 2025, by the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA).

Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Union Home Minister of India, and the Governor of Manipur through the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul District, on June 20, 2025, by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS).

Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Union Home Minister of India, and the Governor of Manipur through the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel, by the Naga Students’ Union, Chandel (NSUC).

Memorandum submitted to the Governor on July 12, 2025, by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL).

In light of the above, and toward securing their legitimate rights over their ancestral land and their peoplehood, the undersigned issue a 20 (Twenty) days’ ultimatum to the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to address the following points: the Government of India must revoke the notification order related to the abrogation of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) immediately; immediately stop all ongoing border fencing construction and demarcation works in Naga ancestral lands; and initiate a meaningful and time-bound dialogue with the Naga Civil Societies and affected stakeholders.

Should the above demands remain unaddressed from the date of the ultimatum, the Naga CSOs shall be compelled to resume their protest movement in stronger measures across all the Naga hill districts, they warned.

Signatories include Ng. Lorho, President, UNC; Vareiyo Shatsang, General Secretary, UNC; Priscilla Thiumai, President, NWU; A. Hoibila, General Secretary, NWU; Th. Angteshang Maring, President, ANSAM; Isaac Charenamei, General Secretary, ANSAM; and Joyson Mazamo, Convenor, NPMHR-S.

*Courtesy: Ukhrul Times