NPF-led rally against border fencing held at Longwa village
NPF-led rally against border fencing held at Longwa village
The Naga People's Front (NPF) on Tuesday commenced its ‘public rally’ along the state’s border districts, in protest against border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar
Villagers and NPF leaders during the public rally against
border fencing at Longwa village on Tuesday. (EM images)
KOHIMA — The Naga People's Front (NPF) on
Tuesday commenced its ‘public rally’ along the state’s border districts, in
protest against border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar and scrapping of Free
Movement Regime (FMR).
Nagaland shares 215-km boundary with Myanmar.
Kicking off the rally at border village of Longwa in Mon
district, the party leaders and worker along with the villagers hit the village
street voicing strong opposition to the border fencing.
The public rally was marked by protestors marching from the
Assam Rifles camp to the chief Angh's residence in Longwa.
“Do not divide Nagas further,” “We are against border fencing,”
“We want to live together” were some of the slogans raised by the protestors.
Addressing the rally, NPF secretary general and MLA,
Achumbemo Kikon, informed that Longwa village existed before India and Myanmar
got independence from the British rule - Aug.15, 1947 and Jan. 4, 1948 -
respectively.
“But now, the Government of India's decision to impose
fencing means dividing families which is not acceptable,” he said.
Stating that NPF is a party that raises the sentiments of
the people, he asserted that the party will oppose lifting of FMR and not let
it happen.
He told the gathering to urge the Centre to reconsider its
decision as Nagas “will not agree and will not let it happen.”
Kikon went on to add that Nagas are not encroaching upon
anybody's land but only preserving and protecting their rights and their land.
Maintaining that it is not acceptable for the Government of
India to divide the Naga forefathers’ land, he urged the people to stand up for
their rights.
“Nobody should fool us and we should not allow anybody to
fool us. We know our rights and we know where to stand up for our rights,” he
said.
Sharing that Nagas are people who love their land and settle
permanently in their respective villages, once established, the NPF leader said
that “the Centre should not reduce Nagas to nomads.”
“Naga areas have long been divided into various sections and
yet they (Centre) still want to further divide us.”
He also claimed that the Centre is “blocking”' its own road
and contradicting its own ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘neighbourhood first’ by
imposing the border fencing. These policies, he remarked, are not right.
Further, Kikon called upon the Nagas, particularly those
living in the border areas, to stand up for their rights, saying that if people
do not know their rights, “then they will cease to exist on this earth.”
Chief Angh Tonyei Phawang, NPF president Apong Pongener and
Yanlang Konyak, Longwa village council chairman, also addressed the rally.
The NPF will continue its rally at bordering points
including Pangsha in Noklak district, traverse Tuensang district and culminate
at Pungro in Kiphire district.
