SENAPATI, Nov 19: The United Tangshang Naga Council (UTNC) has vehemently opposed the Government of India’s construction of border fencing between Indo-Myanmar boundary pillars 172 and 173, claiming it threatens to divide ancestral Naga territory and undermine indigenous identity.
In a statement issued, the UTNC emphasized that the Naga people have inhabited the region since time immemorial and were not migrants or settlers. The council argued that the 2025 border fortification project disregards historical and cultural ties and inflicts “psychological oppression” on the indigenous population.
“Though administratively we were divided into two nationalities, the Nagas continued to live peacefully on both sides, bonded by our customs, culture, and unity as one people,” the statement read. It added that physical barriers cannot sever the deep-rooted ties shared by the Naga community.
The UTNC demanded the immediate cessation of all fencing activities, urging the Indian government to recognize and respect the presence of Naga people across the border. It also warned of potential consequences if the project is not withdrawn, stressing the need to avoid any political measures that divide indigenous communities.
The fencing project covers the stretch from Pangsau Pass (Pillar No. 173) to Pillar No. 172 in the Tangshang-inhabited region of Nanyun Township, Myanmar. The council asserted that India’s actions contradict its global image as a champion of democracy and human rights.
The statement was endorsed by several prominent Tangshang Naga organizations, including the Naga Tradition, Literature and Culture Committees of Nanyun and Pangsau Townships, Myanmar, the Tangshang Naga Baptist Churches Council (TNBCC), and the Tangshang Naga Students Association (TNSA).
