NPF Holds Emotional Protest Rally in Longwa against Ill-Fated Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing
As I stood along the Indo-Myanmar border in Nagaland’s Mon district, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency. The proposed border fencing between India and Myanmar has ignited a fire of resistance among the locals, particularly in Longwa village. The Naga People’s Front (NPF), a prominent party in the region, has taken a strong stance against the proposed fencing, and I was there to witness the intensity of their protest.
On April 1, the NPF held a public rally in Longwa village, which was attended by party leaders, villagers, students, and local residents. At the forefront of the protest was Achumbemo Kikon, the party’s Secretary General and MLA, who emphasized the historical claim to the land and rejected any attempt to divide it. “We are living on our own land, and no one has the right to divide our home,” he said. “We Nagas know our rights, and it is India that is attempting to curb them. We will protect our land at all costs. This is our land, and we will never allow any force to divide it again.”
Kikon’s words echoed concerns raised by local village leaders and student representatives, who warned that any attempt to divide the land would be met with fierce resistance. As I walked through the crowd, I could feel the sense of unity and determination among the protesters, who were united in their opposition to the proposed fencing. Kikon himself questioned the rationale behind dividing the house of the Angh, the village chieftain, describing the plan as “absurd.”
The NPF has also voiced opposition to the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which previously allowed cross-border movement for tribes living in border regions. Kikon emphasized that the NPF believes in standing with its people and will support them in their time of need. Unlike other parties, which operate from “air-conditioned rooms,” the NPF is a party that speaks for and acts in the interest of its people.
Criticism of India’s Act East Policy and Neighborhood First Policy has also been raised, as Kikon believes that the proposed fencing contradicts the stated objectives of regional connectivity and cooperation. “Nagas are not nomads,” he said. “We live in settled villages and return to our homes. We cherish our traditions, and the Angh system of governance continues to guide us. We fought the British not to live under their control, and we will not live under anyone’s control.”
Referring to the historical legacy of the Naga struggle, Kikon cited India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who described the tribal areas as “the long frontier of India, which are neither part of India nor Burma nor any foreign state.” He also recalled a public meeting in Kohima during which Naga leaders were denied the chance to speak or submit a memorandum to Nehru and Burmese Prime Minister U Nu, an act of humiliation that led to the division of Naga territories.
“It is our time to stand up for the rights our forefathers fought for, for the good of future generations,” Kikon declared. “If we do not stand for our rights today, it will be us who suffer in the end.” As the protest came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of commitment among the people of Longwa to preserving their rights and their way of life. As Kikon’s words echoed through the crowd, I knew that this was a battle worth fighting for.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/npf-holds-protest-rally-in-longwa-against-indo-myanmar-border-fencing
Category : Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2025-04-02 00:04:00
