Mokokchung, 27 January (MTNews): In response to the central government’s decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and erect security fencing along the 1600 km long international corridor in the Northeast, the Rising Peoples’ Party (RPP) is rallying for unity among the Nagas and the Zo peoples.
The RPP expressed deep concern over the implications of the Center’s move, stating that it has “shocked” the tribal peoples of Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, and has severely hurt the sentiments of the region’s tribal population by threatening the erasure of their shared history.
“The British first divided the territory of the Nagas and Mizo-Chinsin the early part of the 20th Century into British-Assam and British-Burma for ‘administrative reasons’. But when the province of Burma was detached from British India in 1937, the ethnic identities of Nagas and Mizo-Chin peoples of Burma were lost forever to the dominion of Burmans, the majority ethnic group of Burma. The insensitivity of the British has never been forgotten and yet, today, the BJP government of India is rubbing salt into old wounds,” stated the RPP.
The party cautioned that if the government of India proceeds with its “irrational” decision, it could lead to the shattering of fragile peace in the region. They criticized the government’s approach, accusing it of pursuing a confrontational policy instead of seeking a lasting solution for the Northeast.
“The government of India’s fatal decision on FMR will be a call to insurrection in the Northeast – already reeling from the ethnic conflict in Manipur – eventually leading to Balkanization/break-up of India. Our shared history with our kins in Burma cannot be erased with security fencing, and it’s important that India’s leaders listen to us with compassion,” added the RPP.
And, therefore, as a first step, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) has called for unity among the Nagas and the Zo-Kuki-Chin community, urging all stakeholders, including churches, to pray fervently for wisdom to prevail among Indian leaders.
The RPP stressed the importance of preserving their shared history and identity, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding from India’s leaders.