Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) has reaffirmed its resolve to oppose the “divisive and regressive policy” of fencing the India-Myanmar border, which it said threatened to further divide the Naga people and sever historical, cultural, and familial ties that have existed for centuries.
In a press release, TUN president Kekhwengulo Lea recalled that the union on its 1st Foundation Day held at Kohima Village, VDB Hall, Ziekezou, on June 22, 2024 had resolved, among several resolutions, to stand in solidarity with the resolution adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 1, 2024, urging the Government of India to reconsider its decision to erect a border fence.
TUN asserted that the Naga homeland predated the creation of modern India and Myanmar. It stated that Nagas historically “lived and thrived across these lands without interference or boundaries.” However, after independence from British colonial rule, TUN stated that arbitrary borders were drawn without the consent of the Naga people, dividing them between two nations. In the 1950s, the union said that free movement regime (FMR) was introduced, allowing travel up to 40 km across the border, recognizing the unique historical and cultural realities of people on both sides. However, in 1968, TUN said India adopted a permit system for border travel.
In 2004, the union said the travel distance was reduced to 16 km, with crossings allowed only at three designated points—Pangsau (Arunachal Pradesh), Moreh (Manipur), and Zokhawthar (Mizoram). “This systematic reduction of free movement and tightening of regulations have severely impacted Naga communities, restricting their economic, social, and cultural interactions,” TUN asserted.
The union maintained that the recent decision to erect a border fence under the pretext of national security failed to consider the devastating impact on Naga lives and livelihoods. It stated that families would be permanently separated, economic lifelines cut off, and vulnerable communities pushed further into poverty.
“This fencing also threatens to disrupt cultural ties, social bonds, education, and healthcare access. Communities will be isolated, and vital connections will be severed,” the union added.
Further, TUN asserted that the “absurdity of this plan” was starkly illustrated in Longwa village, where the proposed fence would physically bisect the home of a Konyak Angh, with the kitchen in India and the bedroom in Myanmar.
Therefore, TUN has appealed to the Government of India to halt the border fencing project in Naga territories. It urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue and consultation with Naga stakeholders before making decisions that impact their ancestral land.
The union stated that the fencing of the India-Myanmar border was not just a physical barrier but an assault on Naga identity, heritage, and dignity. TUN has urged the Government of India to halt the project immediately.