Opposition grows against Indo-Myanmar border fencing

ENPO, public oppose border fencing
Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and its six federating tribal units have unanimously resolved to strongly oppose the ongoing (and proposed) construction of international border fencing along Indo-Myanmar border at Pangsha village (and length and breadth of Eastern Nagaland).
In a press release, ENPO media cell stated that the resolution was adopted at a joint consultative meeting of ENPO and six tribal units CKS, KTC, KU, PPC, USLP and YTC on December 29, 2016 at Pangsha village.
The resolution titled “The ENPO Pangsha Resolution” also affirmed that ENPO and its six tribal units would not allow movement of any organizations and agencies across international boundaries through Eastern Nagaland without prior permission from ENPO, Konyak Union, Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and Yimchunger Tribal Council.
Further, it was also resolved that ENPO, KTC and remaining five federating tribal units would jointly pursue the matter basing on the Memorandum submitted by KTC to the Prime Minister of India on December 12, 2016 through the chief secretary of Nagaland, and as requested to the Prime Minister of India by the chief minister of Nagaland and chief secretary of Nagaland for taking up the matter with the Myanmar counterpart in this regard.
After the consultative meeting, the media cell said the ENPO public visited the spot and interacted with both Indian and Myanmar Armies that were stationed there. It said the public also shouted slogans such as “Don’t divide us” “ENPO and Naga brothers of Myanmar strongly oppose border fencing at Pangsha” in presence of the Indian and Myanmar armies.
Meanwhile, ENPO said it has also seriously viewed the demolition of Pangsha Helipad between pillar no. 145 to 146.
NSCN(K) vows to protect Naga homeland
NSCN(K) has slammed the ongoing construction of the Indo-Myanmar international border fencing within the heart of Naga settlement at Pangsha village by a joint team of the Indian and Myanmar army anddescribed it as “ totally against the wishes of the Nagas” as they(Nagas) have not been consulted or were their consent acquired at any of the stages.
MIP of the NSCN(K) said the border fencing was to accentuate the 1953 Nehru-U Nu partition of Naga country to keep Nagas divided and permanently marginalised by instituting a physical barrier.
In total contrast to the rapid globalisation taking place worldwide where physical and ideological barriers that have divided families and homes were being broken down; NSCN(K) said instead of making amends for “great injustice perpetrated on our people” India and Myanmar were resorting to another “despotic imposition of physical wall between the same families” that have lived side by side since ancient time.
By “solidifying the imaginary borderline” running through the middle of one’s home and tearing apart the same family to two countries demonstrated the “blatant disregard to the sentiments of the subjected people” that defied the very ideals of humanity, international peace and security which the two countries were trying to promote at the global arena, stated NSCN(K).
Further NSCN(K) pointed out that the “relentless Indo-Myanmar policies and conspiracies to illegally divide and suppress the Nagas” proved was an anti-thesis resulting in resurgence of even the most dormant of Naga spirits and which contradicted with the regional peace and stability interests along the porous border regions and the S.E.Asia.
NSCN(K) warned that the “passion and patriotic fervour of the Nagas across the border is running high” and could occur any moment. Therefore, it was not a mere obligation but a bounden duty for every Naga to rise to the occasion and “reassert the rights which is inherent” said NSCN(K).
The outfit further reiterated that it would explore every means whether peaceful or otherwise, “to thwart further forcible division of our homeland, homes and families in the hands of colonizing forces.”
Border fencing unacceptable: NNPGs
Working group of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) including GPRN/NSCN (M.B Neokpao/N.Kitovi), NSCN (Reformation), NNC (parent Body) (Z. Royim/ V Nagi) NNC/GDRN (Kiumukam/Hetoi) NNC/NPGN) (Temjenyanger/Hozheto) has called upon the Naga people to “fight tooth and nail” against the attempt by the government of India and Myanmar to pursue border fencing along the “so-called international border.” In a joint statement, N. Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN, convener, NNPGs working group; Wangtin Naga, president, NSCN (R), co-convener; V. Nagi, general secretary NNC (Parent Body) co-convener; Hozheto Chophy, Ato Kilonser, NNC/NPGN, co-convener and Hetoi Chophy, Ato Kilonser, NNC/GDRN, co-convener affirmed that the proposal for constructing fence along “artificial boundary” between India and Myanmar was “unacceptable” to Nagas.
The signatories said that this policy was to create further rift within the Naga family and to completely marginalise and weaken the strong historical, cultural, social, political and emotional affinity between Nagas spread across “artificial boundary.”
The signatories said that NNPGs have unanimously resolved to act against any move to fence imaginary border by government of India or Myanmar as it would sever off tribes, clans, families and their ancestral properties.
They further alleged that the Government of India and Myanmar were “about to commit crime against the Nagas again should the imaginary boundary be fenced right in the middle of the Naga nation, having set up pillars decades ago without the consent and approval of indigenous Nagas who settled in their homeland more than a thousand years ago.”
According to the signatories, the Government of India and Myanmar must understand that honourable and acceptable political solution should precede any boundary fencing in Naga homeland.
They said that the present geo-political situation in the region “may necessitate certain political arrangements” acceptable and honourable to indigenous Nagas on both sides of the “so-called international border”. However, they said that all Nagas whether in India or in Myanmar were bound by common history, heritage, customs and traditions that cannot be separated by imaginary boundaries.
The signatories reminded that Germany after WW II was divided at the whims and fancies of Allied powers but the will and determination of German people triumphed when Berlin wall collapsed on November 9, 1989.
Meanwhile, the NNPGs have appealed to all Naga tribes in India and Myanmar “to rise up against the sinister policy at work”, adding that “We must prevent occupational forces from setting up boundaries between us in our homeland against our will.”