Tonyei Phawang, Chief Angh of Longwa Village, Mon, on behalf of his people, has urged the Government of Nagaland led by the Chief Minister to voice out against Central Government’s decision to scrap Free Movement Regime (FMR) and fencing the Indo-Myanmar border as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In a press release, Phawang declared his objection to these decisions of the Government of India and stated if the abrogation of FMR and fencing do take place, the people living along the border will be divided “socially and culturally.”
“If the GOI execute the plan, the occupants living along the border will be adversely affected in multiple ways,” he said.
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Speaking especially for the people of Longwa village, the Chief Angh said that they had “never thought” that a fence could be erected between them and asserted that they will not accept the idea “in any circumstances”.
Phawang explained that Longwa Village, one of the major villages in Mon District is strategically located on the Indo-Myanmar Border and home an approximate of 6000 people living in both the countries. However, the village functions under one Anghship, one Church and one Administration.
“As per recent records, there are 990 households in Longwa Village, scattered in both Indian and Myanmar Territories. And, exactly on the boundary line, there are 170 households including Chief Angh’s Residence, Govt. Primary School, Church, Assam Rifles Post, Shops and other public properties. Longwa has Eight (8) Jhum Farmlands and Two (2) Forest Reserves in total from which Four (4) Jhum Farmlands and One (1) Forest Reserve falls under Myanmar Territory”, the Chief Angh elaborated.
Phawang also mentioned that Longwa village originated in the 16th Century but it was in 1970-71 that the governments of India and Myanmar jointly drew the international boundary through the middle of it, dividing the village between two countries.
“It may be noted that the boundary demarcation was done without the concrete knowledge of the village people: should our people of the time knew the idea of dividing the village among the two countries, there wasn’t a way to accept the proposal but to out rightly reject the same,” he added.
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Despite the boundary demarcation, the people have continued to live as “proud citizens of Longwa Village and Konyak Nagas since time immemorial”, Phawang stated, affirming that to this day, the village has not witnessed any tension due to the arbitrary line.
“And till this day, without any single border tension we have been immensely contributing to peaceful co-existence with people from beyond the border particularly the country of Myanmar,” he stated.
On this note, the Chief Angh of Longwa village, speaking for his people, appealed to the Nagaland Government and the Chief Minister to look into the matter and to persuade the Central Government against implementing its plans.
“I sincerely lay high hopes on his benevolent authority and also assure my fullest cooperation towards any of his approaches on this matter,” the Angh said.
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