Nagaland: The Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), representing five major Naga tribes, has strongly opposed the Central government’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, citing severe repercussions on the livelihoods, cultural ties, and identity of the Naga people.
TUN, the apex body of the Angami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma, and Zeliang tribes, expressed concerns that the fencing would disrupt economic lifelines, isolate communities, and restrict access to essential services like education and healthcare.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TUN president Kekhwengulo Lea described the border fence as “not just a physical barrier, but an assault on our identity, heritage, and dignity.” The organization called for an immediate reconsideration of the decision, emphasizing the need to protect ancestral lands and uphold the rights and dignity of the Naga people.
Lea highlighted how the Free Movement Regime (FMR) introduced in the 1950s had allowed limited cross-border travel for the Naga communities, enabling them to maintain crucial social, cultural, and economic ties. However, successive regulations and the proposed fencing threaten to dismantle these connections, he warned.
The TUN urged all Naga individuals, communities, and organizations to unite against the fencing project, which it believes would fragment the Naga collective identity and future. The union stressed that safeguarding their ancestral heritage is essential to preserving their cultural legacy and economic stability.
The Central government’s fencing initiative has sparked widespread debate, with Naga leaders emphasizing the need for policies that respect and protect the unique socio-cultural fabric of the region.
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