Nagaland-based organisation says it won’t allow fencing of Indo-Myanmar border at any cost

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has said that it would not allow execution of the proposed fencing of Indo-Myanmar border at any cost.

Expressing strong resentment over the recent decision of the Indian government to suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, the NTPRADAO claimed that ‘its 3,000 plus members are prepared to go to any length to stop it (fencing work)’.

“We Nagas are ancient indigenous peoples with high level of political realisation, cultural and social cohesiveness. With that sense of historical oneness since time immemorial, Naga family needs continuous and up-to-date free movement within our Naga inhabited areas from both sides viz. India and Myanmar,” read the statement from NTPRADAO media cell.

India being a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 (UNDROP), it said the country’s standing in the world stage would be shattered if it dilutes the nature of Nagas indigenous historical rights of free movement within the Naga-inhabited areas.

The organisation urged the Centre to reconsider its decision and solve the FMR issue in a respectful manner through dialogue with the Nagas. It also cautioned all individuals and political parties in Naga-inhabited areas viz. Arunachal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur not to be misled by people who want to gain political mileage, saying that Nagaland legislators Temjen Imna Along and Imkong L. Imchen should be condemned for their recent comments on the FMR issue.