Boundary line: KTC seeks PM, Mynmar president’s intervention

Dimapur, Dec. 17: The Khaimniungan Tribal Council (KTC) has expressed surprise to learn that the territory of Khiamniungans had been divided by alleged drawing of imaginary lines from B/pillar No. 139 to 146 between the Government of India and Myanmar keeping the indigenous people and rightful owner of the land in dark on the matter.

In this connection, the KTC submitted a memorandum appended by its president P. Mongchua and general secretary Puchai P.M. to Prime Minister of India and President of Myanmar seeking their immediate intervention. The memorandum was submitted by KTC during its 25th anniversary celebration at Noklak HQ under the theme “One People, One Aspiration” from December 10 to 12.
The memo said Khiamniungans under both India and Myanmar are compelled to beseech their immediate intervention on the matter since time immemorial and evolution, they have their own territory, tradition, culture and customary usages and practices and have been living as one people.

“In the history of the Khiamniungans though divided and living separately under imaginary boundary between India and Myanmar, there had been no land disputes and encroachment being the descendents of the same ancestors and will never occur/happen even in the days to come,” it said.

Therefore, the KTC said, in the light of these stated facts and history, “our land and people cannot be divided by any external forces and aggressors by putting up fencings and drawing imaginary lines under the guise and pretext of national security and defense as there is no land dispute among the people of Khiamniungan though living under two different countries and political entities.”

The KTC asserted that Khiamniungan people have been living and will continue to live as one people with one aspiration and is opposed to the policy of constructing border security fencing within their jurisdiction/area at any cost and eventuality.