Govt strikes truce with Kukis, but Naga trade blockade looms ahead of PM Modi’s Manipur visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a likely visit to Manipur on September 13, the Union government’s claim of securing a breakthrough with Kuki groups on free movement is overshadowed by a looming confrontation with the Nagas. The United Naga Council (UNC), a powerful body representing Naga interests in Manipur, has declared a “trade embargo” beginning September 8, protesting the Centre’s move to fence the India–Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

The embargo threatens to choke vital supply lines into Imphal Valley, since key highways —including National Highway-2 through Senapati district and arterial routes via Ukhrul and Tamenglong — run through Naga-dominated areas. Officials fear that a prolonged blockade could spark shortages of essential commodities and spark fresh unrest just days before the Prime Minister’s high-profile visit.

Kukis, Nagas take divergent stands

Earlier this week, Kuki representatives reached an understanding with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on opening NH-2 for unhindered movement of commuters and essential goods. The Kuki-Zo Council, however, clarified that this cooperation should not be misconstrued as support for “unrestricted or free movement” across buffer zones.

The Naga position remains uncompromising. Despite meeting MHA representatives last month, the UNC reiterated its opposition to border fencing in Naga areas and demanded the restoration of the FMR, suspended since February 2024. With no assurances forthcoming, the council declared the embargo on Wednesday, warning that all transport of goods through Naga areas will be halted.

‘Indifferent government attitude’

In a strongly worded statement, the UNC accused the Centre of ignoring its repeated appeals. “Nagas have communicated their sentiments to the MHA about the unilateral abrogation of FMR and imposed border fencing amidst Naga homeland,” the statement read. “Yet, the indifferent attitude of the government demands a stringent agitation to register our rigid stance.”

The council announced that the embargo will take effect from midnight on September 8 and remain in place “until further notification.”

A senior security official admitted concern: “The situation must be managed in time. Nagas are not easy to negotiate with. We cannot afford blockades or worse, arson of goods transport on the highways—it will open a new front of conflict.”

MHA in firefighting mode

To contain the fallout, the MHA has tasked A K Mishra—former Additional Director of the Intelligence Bureau and the Centre’s interlocutor on the Naga issue—with leading negotiations. Mishra, along with IB Joint Director Rajesh Kamble, was instrumental in brokering the deal with Kuki groups after months of dialogue since June. He is now expected to engage with Naga leaders to defuse the situation.

The Free Movement Regime dispute

The FMR, which allowed residents on both sides of the India–Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km without visas, has long been a flashpoint. For Nagas and Kukis, who share deep ethnic and familial ties across the frontier, the scrapping of FMR and border fencing are seen as existential threats. Kuki leaders have even compared the fence to the Berlin Wall.

In contrast, Meiteis in Imphal Valley blame the open border for illegal immigration and cross-border drug trafficking, accusing the FMR of worsening Manipur’s ethnic strife over the past two years.

On February 8, 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the suspension of the FMR, citing “internal security” and the need to preserve the demographic balance of India’s northeastern border states.

Now, with Nagas hardening their stance and the embargo deadline closing in, the Centre faces yet another delicate balancing act — one that could decide whether Prime Minister Modi’s Manipur visit projects a fragile peace or reveals fresh fault lines.