New Delhi/Kohima: India is likely to turn 3,500 fertile acres into "No-Man's Land" on its eastern border with Myanmar as construction of a fence has started between the existing border pillars demarcating the two neighbouring nations.
The fencing is going ahead despite an agitation by Naga villagers who said the move will affect their livelihood as the area has been used by them for years.
The district administration, located in the border town of Noklak, has begun preparations to seal off farmers' passage to the 3,500 acres of land, according to sources.
Village Councils say the fencing between existing border pillars 139 and 146 will leave 10,000 villagers belonging to the Khiamniungans Naga tribe, living on both sides of the border, without a livelihood.
Seeking the urgent attention of both the Indian and Myanmar governments, the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar President U. Htin Kyaw, urging them to halt the fencing work, as they were not consulted on the issue.
"In the history of Khiamniungans, though divided and living separately across the imaginary boundary between India and Myanmar, there have been no land disputes and encroachments. Our land and people cannot be divided by any external forces or aggressors by putting up fencing and drawing any imaginary lines under the guise and pretext of national security," said.
According to the KTC, the border pillars were set up in the 1970s on agricultural lands without understanding that people on both sides belonged to the same community.
"We have been using the land for Jhum cultivation for so long. Though the border pillars were set up in the middle of our lands all of a sudden, we did not object as it did not stop our people from passing through. Now all of a sudden what is the meaning of constructing fencing between the border pillars?" S. Puthein, Chairman of Village Council Dan, a village of Khiamniungan on the Indian side of the border, said.
When contacted, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that India was not involved in the construction of the fence.
"Ministry of Home has not proposed any fence on the Indo-Myanmar border. On this issue the MEA has been apprised as it is their subject. We have told our people that there will be no construction in our zone and also there will no construction in non-construction zone.
Assam Rifles will ensure that," Pradeep Gupta, Joint Secretary (Border Management) in the ministry, said.
"If the Myanmar government is doing this, then we will ensure that no construction is done in the 10 metres of no-construction zone. The government is trying to clear all the doubts of the locals living in the border areas on this," said Gupta.
