Manipur: United Naga Council Launches Trade Embargo Over India-Myanmar Border Fencing

Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC) in Manipur initiated a “trade embargo” in Naga-dominated areas starting Tuesday as a form of non-cooperation with the Indian government.

The protest targets the ongoing India-Myanmar border fencing project and the termination of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which previously allowed visa-free cross-border movement.

The UNC’s action follows unsuccessful negotiations with the central government in New Delhi on August 26, 2025, regarding the FMR and the proposed 1,643 km border fence, which combines physical and smart fencing technologies. The council described the embargo as the initial phase of a sustained non-cooperation movement, vowing to escalate actions until their demands are met.

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In a statement, the UNC labelled the India-Myanmar border as “imaginary” within Naga territories, arguing that the fencing project would sever over 1,000 km of Naga homeland across Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, disrupting ties with Naga communities in Myanmar. The FMR, established in 1950 and modified in 1968, once permitted movement up to 40 km across the border without visas, later reduced to 16 km in 2004 and 10 km before its complete abolition in February 2024. The government justified scrapping the FMR and erecting the fence to curb illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.

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The UNC accused the government of ignoring Naga land rights, particularly as fencing activities continue in areas like Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. The council asserted that no land boundary exists between India and Myanmar within Naga territories and condemned the fencing as an “inhuman” policy that threatens cultural, ancestral, and community connections. The UNC described the government’s actions as akin to a “declaration of war” on the Naga people.

The council demanded the immediate halt of the border fencing project and the restoration of free movement across the Naga homeland. It called for the government to seek free, prior, and informed consent from the Naga people for any projects impacting their land and to cease detention, harassment, and surveillance in border areas. The UNC also urged the government to prioritise the Naga peace process and work toward an early resolution.