A tribal chief from Nagaland’s Mon district has urged the Centre to withdraw its decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and reduce the Free Movement Regime (FMR), warning that such moves would deeply affect the lives of border communities, PTI reported. The appeal comes amid growing concerns among Naga tribes about the impact of tightened border controls.
Tonyei Phawang, the 10th generation Chief Angh (‘king’) of Longwa village, emphasized that the people living on both sides of the border are Konyak Nagas, historically tied by blood relations, culture, and mutual dependence.
“We do not want fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border,” Phawang said, according to PTI. “My own house, which was originally constructed centuries ago with traditional thatch structure but reconstructed into concrete in 2016, has been split between India and Myanmar since the boundary demarcation after India’s independence.”
“Movement of our family members within the house is also international,” he added, questioning how the Centre could proceed with fencing without considering ground realities.
Longwa village is globally known for its unusual geography: the international boundary literally runs through the chief’s house. According to Phawang, 35 villages fall under his traditional authority, of which 30 are located in Myanmar and only five on the Indian side.
Many Konyak villagers from across the border routinely travel into Mon town for essential needs like marketing, healthcare, and education, as facilities remain underdeveloped on the Myanmar side. Students from Myanmar-side villages attend five schools in the area, including two state government-run institutions.
“If the Centre reduces the FMR area and fences the border, it will create immense hardship for the Konyak Nagas,” Phawang warned. “It would even mean that my own family members would require official passes to move within our house.”
The Indo-Myanmar Free Movement Regime, introduced in 2018, allows people living within 16 km of the border on either side to travel visa-free for up to 72 hours. However, the Centre recently proposed to reduce this distance to 10 km, citing national security concerns.
Phawang argued that instead of reducing the FMR distance, the Centre should consider expanding it. “All these would be very unfair and therefore as the Chief Angh, I hope the Centre would reconsider its decision and think for the welfare of the people at the ground,” he said.
Earlier, several Naga civil society groups, including the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and the Konyak Union, have also voiced opposition to the proposed border fencing, highlighting the cultural and familial bonds that transcend the artificial boundary.
According to experts, fencing the Indo-Myanmar border could not only divide communities but also impact trade, traditional land ownership, and cross-border relations that have existed for centuries.
The central government has yet to formally respond to the growing concerns from Nagaland and Manipur border communities.
(With inputs from PTI)
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