Aizawl, Oct 30: The Nagaland Indigenous Peoples Forum (NIPF) and Mizoram-based Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) have urged the central government to immediately halt the construction of the Indo-Myanmar border fence across three Manipur districts. According to the two groups, the border fence across the Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Churachandpur districts of Manipur,threatens the rights and welfare of indigenous communities. In a joint statement signed by Dr T. Lima Jamir and R. Sangkawia, the respective presidents of NIPF and ZORO, the organisations expressed strong opposition to the ongoing construction in tribal-populated areas, stating it disregards the concerns and cultural heritage of indigenous populations. "Despite previous protests leading to a halt, the government is aggressively pushing for resumption, deploying central forces to enforce its decision," the statement read, criticising what it described as a lack of sensitivity toward affected communities. The construction, the statement argued, risks severing indigenous villages, restricting traditional practices, and damaging cultural identity by isolating people from counterparts across the border. "The abrupt decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), initially formalised in 2018 under the Act East policy, shocked communities. The move contradicts the BJP government’s policy, and appears aimed at appeasing certain interests," the organisations added, claiming the government is disregarding indigenous stakeholders and bypassing international conventions on indigenous rights. The statement further pointed out that India’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) obliges it to uphold indigenous rights, including cross-border relations under Article 36. The two organisations warned that prioritising national security over human rights risks disenfranchising indigenous communities, exacerbating regional tensions, and impeding peace and development efforts in the Northeast. For a sustainable resolution, they emphasised the need for a balanced approach to national security and human rights that does not alienate indigenous communities...////...