Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restore the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar. The Chief Minister, in his representation, stated that Nagaland shares a 215-km international boundary with Myanmar with Naga communities residing on both sides of the border. “These communities have for generations maintained deep rooted social, cultural and economic ties with regular cross-border movement for agriculture, traditional practices and familial responsibilities,” said Rio, adding that changes made by the Centre in the FMR are causing hardships and distress to the border communities. He requested Shah for re-examining the revised guidelines and for considering a more flexible and context-sensitive approach that safeguards national security while respecting the traditional rights and way of life of the people.
Rio also mentioned that the State Cabinet in its meeting on 3 February 2026 requested the Centre to consider the genuine concerns of the people, and the unique demographic and cultural realities of the region and re-examine the revised FMR guidelines. The union home minister gave a patient hearing and assured a positive approach and examination of the matter. It may be recalled that the Centre in 2024 made changes in the FMR, ending the free movement of people residing close to the India-Myanmar border up to 16 km in each other’s territory without visa. (
