Tangkhul villages say no to border fencing
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, March 03 2025:
Sambu Raiping Katamnao Long (SRKL) sensitized eastern border villagers on Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing during a one-day awareness campaign held at Kachouphung village under Sahamphung Block in Kamjong district.
The campaign was organised under the theme "Nagas Without Borders" to educate the villagers about FMR and border fencing "that will infringe upon the rights of Nagas by creating artificial boundaries within the Naga homeland" .
After learning about the pertaining issues, Sambu villages unanimously resolved to back the decision of Tangkhul Naga Long and the Naga apex body's demand for reinstatement of FMR and no border fencing in Naga areas.
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Furthermore, villages under Sahamphung Block also decided to withhold cooperation in the border fencing to show their condemnation against FMR and border fencing.
At the event, Reisingam Shaiza, president, SRKL, strongly criticized the Central Government for the unilateral decision to scrap the FMR as well as the border fencing project that will reportedly bifurcate and alienate Naga families.
He alleged that on the pretext of maintaining internal security, demographic structure, checking infiltration, drug trafficking and arms smuggling, the Government of India devised a plan to undermine the inalienable rights of the Nagas.
Scrapping the FMR and sealing the international border is not a tangible solution to check the influx of illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country, said Reisingam Shaiza.
He maintained that such a move will not only violate human rights but also disrupt age-old historical, cultural, economic, religious, and social ties with their brethren on the other side of the border.
The awareness programme was attended by headmen, village authorities, women and youth leaders and social organisation leaders of the villages in the area.