The Angami Public Organization along with various Tribal Units held a rally against the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing in Kohima at the Old MLA junction on April 9. After the rally, APO and all the Naga tribe units submitted a representation to Union Home Minister through Nagaland governor.
Thejao Vihienuo, President, Angami Public Organization (APO) highlighted that without any knowledge of the indigenous people, the colonial regime drew an imaginary line to demarcate the boundary of Burma and India. “No consultations was done with the land owners and they have divided the land. The division is continuing even after India got Independence and, this in other words, is dehumanization and violation of rights of the Naga indigenous people. Vihienuo also reminded that the original Free Movement Regime -an agreement between Burmese Government and Indian Government- was marked for 40 Kilometers free movement between the two countries and later the 40 Kilometers was reduced to 16 Kilometers.
“Since 2024, the 16 Kilometers has been reduced again to 10 Km. Under FMR the stretch has been reduced so many times and is that not enough to be satisfied? The fencing along the border is only compartmentalizing our people and within the proposed 215 Kilometer border fencing there will be 9 gates which will be manned by armed personnel and not by civil authorities which will only hamper the daily live activities of the people,” asserted Vihienuo.
Describing the ground reality, Khampei Konyak from Longwa Village, Mon highlighted the history of Longwa village which falls between Burma and India. “In the year 1971 , Indian Army and Burma Army marked the boundary pillar without the knowledge of the villagers. Chief Angh’s house is also divided between India and Burma, while most of the fields and also family members falls under Burma side. There are 13 major Naga tribes, 12 Christian Baptist Church Associations in Myanmar,” stated Khampei. Defying the rumours on arms and ammunition smuggling, he said that the Burmese Government does not provide basic amenities to the Nagas in Burma. When there are barely any basic amenities, the Longwa resident questioned how arms and ammunition can be smuggled. “Our Naga Family in Burma are suffering a lot. We are under one chief Angh and under one church but the removal of FMR and setting of boundary fencing is disheartening,” he added. While appreciating APO for holding the rally, Khampei hoped that the rally initiated by APO will bring justice and with the unity of Nagas a solution will prevail soon.
Aggrieved over the decision to remove the FMR, P. Shingnya from Dan Village, Noklak expressed that the villagers from the border areas have been affected the most. He also urged the Nagas to all unite for this cause, while also maintaining that Burma and India both should be working for peace and not for division. Shingnya highlighted that in 2022, in numerous occasions rallies were held at ITC Dan in Pangsha village between India and Myanmar to strengthen peace without boundaries and division.
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In the Memorandum submitted through the Governor of Nagaland, Raj Bhavan, Kohima to the Home Minister, Government of India, the tribal organizations demanded to immediately stop Indo-Myanmar border fencing, to restore the Free Movement Regime (FMR) in its original form and to withdraw the Protected Area Permit(PAP) from Nagaland.
The demands made through the memorandum are as follows :
- Revoke New ‘Border Pass’ System.
- Stop Border Fencing Plan.
- Restore Free Movement Regime (FMR)in its Entirety and Original Form.
- Withdraw Protected Area Permit (PAP)
- Respect Indigenous Rights in the context of Borders.
Earlier during the rally , the legal perspective was highlighted by Timikha Koza, Senior Advocate while solidarity message was provided by Shiwoto Wotsa , President, Kohima Sumi Hoho.
