The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body representing Naga tribes in Manipur, has initiated a "trade embargo," effectively blocking key highways in the state. This action is a protest against the central government's decision to end the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and erect a fence along the 1,643-km India-Myanmar border. The embargo, which commenced on September 8, 2025, restricts the movement of goods vehicles along national highways passing through Naga-dominated districts, including Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Kamjong, and Noney.
Manipur relies heavily on essential goods transported from other states, particularly via National Highway 2 (Dimapur to Imphal) and National Highway 37 (Silchar to Imphal), which pass through Senapati, Tamenglong, and Noney. The UNC's move is expected to disrupt the supply of essential commodities to the state.
The UNC has been vocal in its opposition to the scrapping of the FMR and the border fencing since January 19, 2024. The organization has expressed its concerns through memoranda, rallies, demonstrations, and press statements to the Government of India, alleging a lack of response from the Centre. The council views the unilateral abrogation of the FMR and the border fencing as a threat to the historical, social, and cultural ties of the Naga people who reside along the 398-km-long international border Manipur shares with Myanmar. These communities have traditionally enjoyed cross-border movement and linkages, which they fear will be disrupted by the fencing.
The Free Movement Regime, implemented in 2018 as part of India's Act East policy, allowed residents of border regions to travel up to 16 kilometers into each other's territory without formal documentation. The central government's decision to end the FMR and fence the border is driven by concerns over illegal immigration, smuggling, and insurgency. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the fencing aims to curb illegal migration and cross-border criminal activities.
While the Meitei community, the majority in Manipur, has welcomed the fencing decision, Naga and Kuki groups have protested, citing the division of their communities across the border. Kuki organizations in Moreh have even appealed to residents to deny land for the fencing construction. The Myanmar-based National Unity Government (NUG), a government-in-exile, has also urged India to halt the border fencing project, describing it as unilateral and located in disputed territory.
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), has also condemned the border fencing, calling it "undemocratic, repressive, and unacceptable". The association has announced a 48-hour office picketing campaign in all Naga Hill Districts, protesting against the fencing project and the scrapping of the FMR. ANSAM argues that sealing the border violates the cultural, historical, and familial ties of Naga communities and could trigger an unprecedented human crisis.
Despite the opposition, India has completed over 9 kilometers of fencing along the Moreh border in Manipur. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the fencing project aims to curb smuggling, illegal migration, and insurgent activities while boosting infrastructural development in the northeast. The construction of two pilot projects of a hybrid surveillance system is also underway in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The situation remains tense, with Naga bodies坚决opposing the border fencing and demanding the reinstatement of the FMR. The ongoing "trade embargo" is likely to exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to shortages of essential goods and further unrest in the region. The central government is yet to respond to the UNC's demands, leaving the future of the border fencing project and the FMR uncertain.
