Dimapur, 27 February (MTNews): The Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) and Eastern Naga Union Dimapur (ENPUD) have jointly expressed deep concern and alarm over the proposed scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the installation of border fencing. In a joint statement issued today, they emphasized the detrimental impact such actions would have on the unity of the Naga people and appealed to the Legislators to stand firm and speak in one accord in this regard.
Calling it a “nefarious policy of creating another division amongst our kith and kin,” the statement underscored how since time immemorial Nagas have been living in their ancestral lands, which has been arbitrarily divided amongst the two countries (Myanmar and India) in 1953.
“Nagas have borne the brunt of various violations of human rights perpetrated by both the Myanmar Government and the Indian Union; yet we are still resilient and hopeful that both the countries will respect our rights and wishes to remain together,” it stated.
Expressing incredulity at the notion of carrying Passports/Visas to toil one’s own fields beyond the border or to visit kith and kin, the TUD and ENPUD called upon the world’s largest democracy to demonstrate sensitivity towards the sentiments of the Naga community.
“Any attempt to abrogate the FMR and build fences on our ancestral homeland, the ENPUD and TUD will oppose it tooth and nail,” it added.