Fencing along Indo-Myanmar border will never be accepted, says Konyak Union Myanmar

DIMAPUR — The Konyak Union Myanmar (KUM) has issued expressed its concern and objection to the proposed end of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the border between India and Myanmar.

In a statement issued on Friday, the KUM said that the government of India’s move to fence the Indo-Myanmar border area ‘will never be accepted under any condition’, while urging the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to reconsider the decision.

The KUM, representing the Konyak people residing in the border area, emphasised its historical ownership of the land even ‘before the declaration of India and Myanmar countries,’ and questioned the validity of the international boundary drawn aerially in the 1970s.

The statement argued that the border pillars are considered artificial imaginary marks and not reflective of the true relationship between the two nations.

Providing historical context, the KUM highlighted instances of military operations and incursions by Indian forces in the 1980s as well as the Myanmar government. It expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of development in the border areas and asked why both India and Myanmar have not invested in the development of their land if it is considered a borderline region.

The KUM insisted on maintaining the Free Movement Regime, opposing the idea of fencing the border. Stating that the move is against their rights as landowners, it appealed to the Indian leaders to reconsider the decision which will only divide the Konyak Naga family.

Invoking the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA) and Amendment Act 2006, it urged the Indian government to reconsider the proposed fencing and to continue the free movement of civilians in the border areas. “We are also humans; we exist under the Rights Act,” it asserted.

Meanwhile, the KUM also expressed solidarity with organisations from Nagaland state, including the “NSF, RPP, Global Naga Forum (GNF) and NSCN/GPRN (IM),” for opposing the Indian government’s decision and for fostering the spirit of “one Naga blood and one Naga land.”

While lauding the government of Nagaland for not accepting the abolition of the FMR, the KUM said that Naga leaders who desire to end it within the Naga soil are immature people.