NSCN (IM) Chairman, Q Tuccu has reiterated the organisation’s opposition to the proposed fencing along the India-Myanmar border, asserting that any attempt to erect a fence through what it considers the Naga homeland would be resisted.
In a statement, Tuccu said the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim had repeatedly made its position clear that Nagas have the right to free movement across their traditional homeland and that any fencing would further disrupt longstanding cultural and social ties among Naga communities living on both sides of the international boundary.
Tuccu described the proposed scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), on grounds of Indian security, as “anti-Naga”, arguing that restrictions on movement would undermine cultural ties and Naga brotherhood at the grassroots level.
He said Naga villages on both sides of the present international boundary had historically maintained close relationships before the area was divided by what he described as “so-called border pillars”. According to him, the division had separated communities and disrupted traditional links between neighbouring Naga villages.
“Nagas will never permit the proposed so-called border fencing through the Naga homeland to further alienate the Naga brotherhood,” Tuccu said, maintaining that Nagas remained one irrespective of where they lived.
He further asserted that Nagas should not be treated as “illegal immigrants in their own land”, while clarifying that the organisation did not object to fencing in other areas intended to check illegal immigration. However, he said the Naga homeland should not be fenced or divided to serve what he described as the interests of others.
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Tuccu also criticised the reported proposal to provide land compensation to villagers for border fencing, describing it as a “cheap agenda” of the Government of India. He urged village chiefs and landowners to remain vigilant and not succumb to financial inducements in matters concerning customary land and traditional rights.
He called upon the guardians and custodians of Naga customary and traditional institutions, land and natural resources to protect the interests of their communities.
“The rights of Nagas cannot be bartered away for few dollars,” Tuccu said.
Appealing to the present generation to emulate the determination of their forefathers, the NSCN (IM) chairman urged Nagas to remain firm in protecting what he described as their traditional rights for the benefit of future generations.
“The present Naga generation must stand firm for the future Naga generation like the forefathers who stood their ground for us,” he stated.
