The Pangsha Public Organization (PPO) and the All Pangsha Students’ Union (APSU) has today condemned the remarks made by Imkong L Imchen, Advisor for I&PR, Soil & Water Conservation, Govt. Of Nagaland, with regard to the scrapping of FMR which appeared on social media on April 30.
The two organisations, in a statement, expressed shock on Imchen’s baseless statement without any thorough knowledge and the topography of the native inhabitants of the region.
“In contrary to the statement for the removal of FMR and citing a direction for fencing undermining the inherent wealth and peaceful environment of our people which have been prevailing for decades and time immemorial. In fact, his statement hurts the core reality of the known statistic element of the people’s sentiment besides the broader picture of his one-sided idea of integrity without sensing or seeing the reality of the integrity of humanity,” mentioned the statement.
“Your opinion fails to consider the nuanced complexities of border dynamics and the impact it would have on the lives of ordinary people. It demonstrates a lack of empathy and understanding for those who rely on cross-border movement for their livelihood and social well-being,” added the two organisations.
It asserted that the removal of FMR will not only disrupt the lives of countless individuals but also undermine the longstanding cultural, social, and economic ties that exist between communities on both sides of the border.
“We are Indians by nationality and we still live under the integrity of India by constitution of its democratic idealism. However, as a whole the Nagas by migration from different corner comes under the diverse socialism of democracy where nothing can be specifically dissected or segregate the tribals by construction of physical fencing since the land of some particular village of area falls beyond the other side of the Country, “ maintained the organisations.
It urged the Advisor to instead work towards enhancing the existing mechanisms for border management while safeguarding the rights and interest of border communities. Any decisions regarding border policies, according to the statement, must be made with careful consideration of their implications and in consultation with all stakeholders involved.
“Withstanding to the grievances of the native, unfortunately, ever since the drawing of Imaginary line, the core sentiments of one blood ancestral relation of Khiamniungans have been wounded for once and for all time. However though living in two separate Countries, we are still lying as one body, in one spirit and in one inspiration,” stated the organisations.
It also highlighted several crucial points:
- During 1970-1971, while consigning the stiffing of B/Pillar No. 139 to 146 between India and Myanmar as Imaginary Line in the land of Khiamniungan, we never had been concerned or made known about the fact during the instigation of the Pillar which in fact undermined the fundamental impression of democratic rights of the indigenous people and deprived the ownership of land. It was an undisclosed covert act.
- In the year 1996, the people of Pangsha contributed 535 acres of land and laid the foundation of International Trade Centre at Dan with a hope of far apparition on development.
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- Whereas, in the year 2018, ITC Dan was completely dissected at the centre by cutting off the land for 3(Three Kilometres) destroying the preliminary inception of some developmental infrastructure such as Water Pipelines, Asphalted roads and Helipad which completely left unattended and bare Office infrastructures thereafter till to this day.
- Marketing Shed and Guesthouse falls beyond the Imaginary line and whereas Public Ground, Four Staff Quarters and Hostel area of the Straightway Mission School and many other public domain and properties are completely dissecting by the artificial boundary.
- Whereas, the people of ITC Dan drain the drinking water supply from the River called Hipongmong which originates from the Land of Pangsha itself and whereas falling beyond the so called Imaginary line between India and Myanmar.
- We have Permanent Reserved Forest through the consultancy of 5 (Five) Pangsha Village’s Council which covers afar beyond the Imaginary Line adjoining to the neighbouring village ‘Woilan’ Kingphu, under Myanmar .
- Pangsha’s land of an area of approximate 3500 acres which refuge the circle of One Jhuming session is falling under Myanmar beyond the so-called Imaginary boundary line. The value content of the simple description of ‘Land’ which the people of Pangsha are fighting is a bitter truth in the context of humanity: forest, fields and domestic dependent of livelihood.
- We sought for the economic development of ITC Dan but not Fencing.
The Organizations affirmed that it firmly stood on ‘NO BIFURCATION OF OUR LAND’.
“It’s our land, it’s our field, it’s our livelihood, it’s our village and it’s our pride and we will fight for it. We urge you to reflect on the impact of your words and take responsibility for the unfathomable statement you have disseminated. Furthermore, we encourage you to seek out credible sources and educate yourself on the subject matter before making any further public statement,” stated the organisations.
The statement also advised the Advisor to exercise greater caution and diligence in his future communication, recognizing the importance of accuracy and integrity in fostering constructive dialogue for the benefit of the Nagas within and beyond the border.
