Kohima: Longwa village chief angh, Tonyei Phawang, whose house is built at the Indo-Myanmar boundary, has voiced his opposition to the Centre’s decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and to install fencing along the India-Myanmar border.
Phawang emphasised that Longwa, a significant village in Mon district, is strategically located on the Indo-Myanmar border, housing approximately 6,000 people who practically live in both countries but under a single anghship, one church, and one administration.
As per a statement, the chief angh said that recent records indicate 990 households in Longwa, scattered across Indian and Myanmar territories, with 170 households, including the chief angh’s residence, Government Primary School, church, Assam Rifles post, shops, and other public properties, located exactly on the boundary line.
Phawang highlighted that Longwa, with eight jhum farmlands and two forest reserves, saw four jhum farmlands and one forest reserve falling in Myanmar territory. The village, dating back to the 16th century, witnessed joint demarcation of the boundary line by India and Myanmar in the 20th century (1970-71), dividing it between the two countries.
Expressing disagreement with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement, regarding the erection of a fence along India’s border with Myanmar in the Northeast and the removal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), Phawang asserted that such actions would socially and culturally divide the people.
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Phawang stated that the proposed plan, if executed, would adversely impact people living along the border, particularly in the case of Longwa village, as their separation by the border fence was never anticipated and would not be accepted under any circumstances.
On behalf of the people of Longwa, Phawang urged the state government, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, to address the matter and voice opposition to the scrapping of FMR and the subsequent erection of a border fence on the Indo-Myanmar border.
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