Dimapur, Jan. 19: Joining the chorus in opposing to the ongoing border fencing between India and Myanmar, State chief minister TR Zeliang urged the Government of India to ask its counterpart to stop border fencing in Noklak area of Tuensang district in Nagaland since ‘this would adversely affect free movement of the people in the area and also the traditional land holding system prevailing in the area since time immemorial.’
On January 18 night, Zeliang had a separate meeting with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the joint meeting with the chief ministers of Manipur and Nagaland, where Zeliang took up the issue with the Union Minister. Zeliang pointed out that people of Noklak area stands to lose some 3500 acres of land which they have been cultivating since generations.
“Border fencing is also not in tune with the free movement regime shared by both India and Myanmar,” Zeliang pointed out and added that “unlike the country’s borders with Pakistan, people of the area have been living peacefully together since time immemorial and there is no need for border fencing as far as these areas are concerned.”
“The communities living on both sides of the border in these areas have very close cultural and social affinities and there are instances where people hold land on both sides of the border,” Zeliang said. “Moreover, the Act East policy of the Government of India intends to improve trade and communications across the Indo-Myanmar border and fencing of the boundaries would defeat the very purpose of Act East Policy.”
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed the chief minister that MHA has written to the Ministry of External Affairs to take up with the Government of Myanmar not to proceed with border fencing on their side.
Government of Nagaland had earlier, on December 22 last, written to the Home Ministry to take up the matter with the Government of Myanmar to avoid border fencing.
Construction of boundary fencing between BP 145 and 146 by the Government of Myanmar bordering Noklak sub division was taken up for discussion at the 22nd Sectoral Level Meeting between the Government of Myanmar and the Government of India on December 19 last.
NSF seeks Prime Minister's intervention
Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has sought the intervention of the Union Prime Minister pertaining to construction of border fencing between India and Myanmar.
In a representation to the Union Prime Minister, NSF has expressed resentment against the border fencing along the international boundary between India and Myanmar. It said despite the artificial geographical boundary created, the people in the region are peace loving and have been rendering much effort to maintain peace and tranquillity along the area.
NSF strongly appealed to the Prime Minister of India to reconsider and stop the works on the border fencing before it resulted in creating panic and havoc, which it said will be detrimental to the human existence.
Taking into consideration of the above stated circumstances, NSF president, Sudenthung Kithan, and the assistant general secretary, Kesosul Chrsitopher Ltu, have sought immediate intervention of the Union Prime Minister to address to the matter and deliver justice to the people.
