IT News
Imphal, Oct 23:
The Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (Tangkhul Southern Students’ Union) and Zingsho Katamnao Long (Eastern Students’ Union) have voiced strong opposition to the Indo-Myanmar border fencing in Kamjong District, without prior consultation or consent from the affected Tangkhul villages. The unions, representing the local community, have submitted a joint representation to the Chief Minister of Manipur, calling for an immediate halt to the fencing process.
In their appeal, the unions reiterated their stance that the Tangkhul villages are the rightful stakeholders of the land and should be consulted before any such project is implemented. They emphasized that the permanent fencing of the border along Kamjong District must not proceed until the faulty international boundary, arbitrarily drawn, is corrected.
Tensions have escalated following a letter from central authorities dated October 17, 2024, instructing the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the completion of the entire Indo-Myanmar border stretch in Manipur.
The unions found certain contents of the letter objectionable and questioned the inclusion of village names like Chassad and Kamjong, which they argue are inaccurately linked to the border fencing process. The unions stated that Chassad is a Kuki village under the jurisdiction of Sampui, a Tangkhul village, and Kamjong is a district headquarters far from the Indo-Myanmar border. The said BP No.6-124 is within the jurisdiction of Kamjong District, and therefore, the tagging of Chassad to the former is irrelevant and uncalled for, in any manner.
The student unions expressed concerns that the central government might be pursuing a divisive agenda aimed at causing misunderstandings between different communities. They warned that they would strongly oppose any attempts to proceed with the border fencing project and cautioned that those cooperating with the DPR preparation would face consequences.
Highlighting the historical context, the unions referenced the 1967 agreement between India and Myanmar that ceded the Kabaw Valley—referred to as the “rice bowl of Manipur”—to Myanmar, calling it a grave injustice. They questioned why the current BJP government continues to honour this decision, made during the Congress regime, and criticized the push for permanent border fencing. The unions urged the BJP government, now in its third term, to correct this historical wrong and rebuild trust among the people of Manipur.
The Tangkhul Nagas, predominantly residing in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, share familial, cultural, and economic ties across the Indo-Myanmar border. The unions argued that the existing border, an “imaginary line” imposed on their community, separates families and disrupts these deep-rooted connections. While acknowledging the need to curb illegal immigration from Myanmar, they stressed that scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and sealing the border is not a viable solution and could lead to human rights violations.
The unions called for alternative measures, such as updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), forming a Population Commission, and enforcing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to address the issue of illegal immigration more effectively.
They also pointed out that India is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which recognizes the rights of indigenous communities divided by international borders to maintain cross-border ties. The unions argued that the government’s move to scrap the FMR and erect a permanent fence contradicts this commitment.
The Tangkhul student unions warned that if their appeal is ignored, they will be forced to launch democratic protests and a non-cooperation movement against the government. They held the state and central governments responsible for any future escalation of tensions resulting from the border fencing issue.