Nine Naga Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Myanmar have issued a statement demanding that the ongoing construction of international border fencing along Indo-Burma border, specifically in Naga territories be halted immediately.
The NCSOs- Council of Naga Affairs, Naga Student and Youth’s Federation-Yangon (NSYF-Y), SHANAH, Naga Community Resource Centre (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, stated that the construction of border fencing would escalate military tension between the governments and the Naga armed groups that would have an effect on regional peace.
The statement issued on behalf of the NSCOs by Council of Naga Affairs Zingaling-Khamti, general secretary Naw Aung Sann also termed the move was an insult against all Nagas and direct violation against the rights of the indigenous people.
Further, the organizations slammed both the governments of Myanmar and India, for creating division among the Naga nationals and placed them under two different administrations without their consent during the 1950s.
Border fencing ploy to divide Nagas: NSCN (R)
NSCN/ GPRN (Reformation) has also joined the chorus in opposing the ongoing construction of the Indo-Myanmar international border fencing, saying that it was another ploy of India and Myanmar to further divide the Naga family.
In this regard, MIP of NSCN (R) appealed to all Nagas in both countries to stand up against the “devilish plan” of the two countries.
It further advised the Government of India to solve the Naga issue peacefully, rather than putting salt on the wound.
The outfit also reminded both the governments that Naga people settled have down in the present location thousands year ago before India and Myanmar government came into being.
Whereas the artificial boundary has been fenced by India and Burma only in 1972 without consulting the Naga peoples, MIP said. It therefore, claimed that the proposed imaginary International boundary fencing between India and Myanmar would infringe Naga people inhabiting across artificial boundaries.