Dimapur, Jan 30: Registering resentment at the ongoing international border fencing, Naga International Support Centre (NISC) today said it was not just unfair to partition the Nagas but an act against human rights and also against International Human Standards and of the Covenant of the United Nations on the rights of Indigenous peoples signed by India and Burma.
Stating that Nagas have rejected and termed ‘illegitimate’ to the international border line drawn by India and Burma, NISC demanded immediate end to the ongoing border fencing. If not, NISC cautioned, the situation created by India and Myanmar will escalate and lead to unwanted tension in the region.
Stating that Nagas on both sides of the artificial boundary are blood relatives, NISC said they have lived for centuries. It said bypassing the will of the people living in the area, India and Burma are committing murder to democracy by separating the people through border fencing.
It recounted that Indo-Burma border was imposed on the Nagas when, in1953, Nehru came to Kohima to meet U Nu wherein it was decided without consulting the people on the border between the two countries. Since then, it said Nagas were forced to live with and experience this “artificial” boundary which runs right through their territory and through the village and the house of the chief of Longwa.
Terming the border fencing with military might as not just act against human rights but also against International Human Standards and of the Covenant of the United Nations on the rights of indigenous peoples, also signed by India and Burma, NISC said if not honoured, India and Burma would be held accountable for the consequences.
On the Manipur imbroglio, NISC said the second peace talks killer is Manipur with its dominance over the Nagas concerning land and a diverse array of cultural, religious and other issues. Stating that Nagas never felt at home with Meitei from the British colonial times to Indian times, NISC accused them of going against the interest of the Nagas.
It cited example when NSCN (IM) secretary Th. Muivah was stopped on his way to his home village in Uhkrul in which two students were killed. It also mentioned on the manner of GOM by creating 5 districts much against the will of Nagas.
On the basis of these two factor detrimental to the feelings to the rights of the Nagas, NISC demanded India and Myanmar to immediately stop fencing the border. It also urged upon the Government of India to intervene immediately in the Manipur imbroglio.
