India to identify border fencing construction done by Myanmar

New Delhi, January 12 (IANS): Indian authorities on Thursday asked a Naga delegation to accompany officials in identifying the areas of ongoing fencing construction along the India-Myanmar border -- which may cut off 3,500 acres of arable land in local Naga villages.   The proposal came after a delegation of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and village council members met officials of the Union Home and Defence Ministries in connection with the construction of fencing by the Myanmar government.   The Khiamniungan Naga tribe expected to be most affected if the fencing construction does not stop, has said that cultivable land is their prime source of livelihood. The fencing is being constructed from border pillar No.139 to 146 in Pangsa village of Nagaland’s Tuensang district.   “During the meeting, the government has proposed to visit the Naga villages located at the Indo-Myanmar borders and identify the spots where the fencing construction is going on. The land owners and some of the members from village councils will accompany the officials,” Sashee Naga, Vice President of ENPO, told IANS.   However, dates for the visit by the government officials have not been decided yet. Earlier, speaking to IANS, Pradeep Gupta, Joint Secretary (Border Management) in the Union Home Ministry, said India was not involved in the construction of the fence. “Ministry of Home Affairs has not proposed any fence on the Indo-Myanmar border. On this issue, the MEA has been apprised as it is their subject. We have told our people that there will be no construction in our zone and Assam Rifles will ensure that,” Gupta added.  

No force can distort Khiamniungan history

  Dimapur, January 12 (MExN): Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) Khiamniungan Region stated that it stands by the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) challenging the border fencing and opposes the move.   A press note from Maj. Retd. NS Thangpong, Kilonser Caretaker of the NSCN (IM) Khiamniungan Region stated that “no force on earth can divide or distort the history and relationship of Khiamniungan” who are related by “blood and flesh ancestor and shall live under KTC umbrella.” He said that “forceful occupation in the guise of border development” in the Khiamniungan region by “erecting fencing wall by Indian and Burma” is “totally against the will” of the Khiamniungan tribe in particular and Nagas in general.   More than 50 years ago, the Kilonser Caretaker stated, the “so called international border” that divided the Naga family by an aerial survey by two foreign Prime Ministers (Jawaharlal Nehru and U Nu) proved no hindrance to the Khiamniungan people because they lived as one since “time immemorial.”   “There is no mountain, river or stone of border between India and Myanmar in the mindset of Khiamniungan,” the press note stated, adding that the people are administered by one apex body, namely the Khiamniungan Tribal Council, and “there is no question of extra body” to govern the Khiamniungan people who share “one tradition, culture, custom and dialect.”