Morung Express News Dimapur | January 9 Opposition to the border fencing work at the Indo-Myanmar international boundary grew today as Naga civil society organizations based in Myanmar objected to the ongoing fencing project as “direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people.” The protest comes days after several organisations based in Nagaland also conveyed their strong resentment to fencing project arguing that it was an attempt to divide the Nagas living on either side of border. Nagaland Political Groups (NPGs) have also their expressed similar sentiment. A ‘Statement of Objection’ against the fencing project undertaking along the Indo-Burma borderland, specifically in Naga Territories was issued today by 9 Naga civil society organizations based in Myanmar “The Naga Nationals (Myanmar) outrageously oppose the fencing project undertaking by two governments of Myanmar and India along the Indo-Burma borderland, specifically in the homeland of the Naga nationals,” it said. Stating that the Naga Nationals have been divided and put under two different administrations “without any consent” of both sides during the 1950s by the two governments – India and Myanmar, it expressed grave apprehension over the project. “We perceive the currently undertaking fencing project in the Naga territories by the concern authorities as an act of insult against all Nagas on earth and direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people,” it said. In this connection, the organisations strongly demanded to immediate stoppage of “all the ongoing fencing activities” along the Indo-Burma borderland (specifically in Naga territories) saying it would “escalate military tensions between the governments and the Naga armed groups effecting regional peace.” The joint statement was issued by Council of Naga Affairs; Naga Student and Youth’s Federation-Yangon) (NSYF-Y); SHANAH; Naga Community Resource Center (NCRC); Makury Naga Youth Federation (MNYF); Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA); Naga Social Relief Team (NSRT); Tangshang Naga Literature Committee (TNLC); and Naga Baptist Convention (NBC). Meanwhile, the NSCN (R) also derided the “proposed imaginary international boundary” fencing between India and Myanmar stating that it would “infringe Naga people inhabiting across artificial boundaries.” “The move of the two countries to construct the fencing dividing the Naga family is another ploy to further divide the Naga which is highly ‘questionable and unacceptable,” asserted MIP NSCN (R) in press statement. The Naga people settled down in the location thousands year ago before India and Myanmar government came into being and artificial boundary has been fenced by India and Myanmar without consulting the Naga peoples, it added. The NSCN (R) further appealed both side of the Nagas to stand up against “devilish plan” of the two countries. According to Ministry of Home Affairs, India and Myanmar shares an unfenced border of 1643 Km adjoining the North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398km) and Mizoram (510 km). A similar project to fence area between boundary pillars (BP) No.79 to 81 at Moreh, Manipur along Indo-Myanmar border covering approximately 10km was “suspended for the time being” after completing 4.00 km fencing work on protest from locals, NGO, political parties and Government of Manipur alleging that “fencing is being done deep inside Indian Territory.”
