Yimkhiung

Protest Against Border Fencing: The Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) recently led a major protest in Pungro Town, Nagaland, opposing the Indian government’s plan to fence the Indo-Myanmar border.

Abolition of Free Movement Regime (FMR): The tribe is also protesting the recent abolition of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which previously allowed visa-free travel for border residents.

Tribe Divided by Border: The Yimkhiung are a Naga tribe with members living on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar border, primarily in Nagaland’s Kiphire district and adjacent areas in Myanmar.

“Imaginary Line”: The tribe views the border as an “imaginary line” that separates families and ancestral lands.

FMR Significance: The FMR had allowed border residents to travel into each other’s territory without a visa for social, economic, and cultural reasons.

Government Action: In February 2024, the Indian government announced the end of the FMR and plans to fence the Indo-Myanmar border.

Memorandum Submitted: Yimkhiung has submitted a memorandum for the reversal of the fencing plan.

Name Change: The Government of Nagaland officially changed the tribe’s name from “Yimchunger” to “Yimkhiung” in 2021.