NPF holds protest rally in ITC DAN
DIMAPUR, APRIL 3 (MExN): In a show of continued resistance against the Government of India's decision to fence the international border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar boundary, a public mass rally was held on April 3 at International Trade Centre (ITC) Dan, Pangsha.
The protest was jointly organized by the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF), drawing participants from across the region, including representatives from Myanmar. This was the second rally in recent days opposing the Centre’s border policy — the first having been held by the NPF at Longwa village on April 1.
Addressing the gathering, NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon said the purpose of the rally was "to protect the land and the people on both sides of the border," and issued a warning that such policies “will not be allowed to proceed.”
Kikon questioned the rationale behind the central government's push to erect fences that divide communities historically united across the international boundary.
"The Nagas are simple, honest, frank, and innocent, and in the past, both India and Burma had taken advantage of these noble traits to suppress them," he said. "While past ignorance may have allowed such exploitation, the Nagas are now fully aware of their rights and capable of defending and protecting their land and people."
Though acknowledging that their ancestors were once headhunters, Kikon said, "times have changed." Still, he stressed, "the Nagas will continue to uphold their culture, traditions, and rights without compromise."
He cited the Government of India’s December 18, 2024 directive that shrinks the free movement zone from 16 km to 10 km and introduces a permit system with a seven-day validity for cross-border travel. "The Nagas could not accept such restrictions," he said.
Kikon also highlighted the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s collective stand on the matter, saying, "all elected members are united on this issue," and reaffirmed, "the Naga People’s Front (NPF), as the people’s party, will stand firmly against policies that threaten the protection and rights of the Naga people."
He called on citizens to brace themselves: "Be prepared to face the challenges posed by the FMR and border fencing policies."
On the central government's flagship Act East Policy, Kikon warned: "Its success would be unattainable without the full involvement and consideration of the Naga people." He argued that "the Naga homeland is crucial for India’s connectivity with Southeast Asian countries and should not be overlooked in policymaking."
Rejecting official claims that fencing is necessary to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, Kikon asserted, "such issues do not exist in the border areas." He reiterated the rally’s core message: "We oppose FMR restrictions and border fencing," adding that "respecting people's rights is essential to ensure peace and development."
He also invoked colonial history, stating, "The British colonial approach to the Nagas recognized their distinct identity and allowed them to live in excluded areas."
Kikon recounted the visit of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Burma’s Premier, U Nu, to the Naga areas, saying, "the humiliation faced from Naga general public during that time" was tied to Nehru's failure to listen. "Nehru's failure to allow the Naga leaders to speak contributed to the longstanding political issues faced by the Nagas," he said.
Even though the current government rejects Nehruvian policy, Kikon pointed out that "consciously or unconsciously, it is still following similar lines concerning the Nagas."
Kikon appealed to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, to work with the Naga people rather than against their wishes. He added, "past Indian leaders may have caused significant problems for the Nagas" but urged the present leadership "to take them along in national policies."
He thanked the KTC "for organizing the rally and ensuring its success."
Other speakers at the rally included MLA P. Longon, KTC President L. Ngon, NPF President Apong Pongener, and student leaders from Myanmar. The event witnessed wide participation from civil society leaders, villagers, and youth groups.
