Pathso, January 18 (NEPS): It is heartening to see how the Khiamniungan people living in both Indian and Myanmar sides have been living under the banner - Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) - without any barriers either from the India authority or Myanmar authority.
Nearly 150 Khiamniungan Villages are currently in Myanmar side while about 45 Khiamniungan Villages are on the Indian side.
“We even have our two Khiamniungan MLAs in Myanmar side,” said L Ngon, President of KTC, while interacting with NEPS at Pathso on January 17, 2019. He further informed that they will have a General Session of KTC from February 27 to 28 next month at Penlong, Myanmar side.
The HQs of KTC is at Noklak in Nagaland and interestingly it (KTC) is the only apex body of the Khiamniungans living in Indian and Myanmar sides. “Our people have been living together whether they are in Indian side or Myanmar side and the KTC is the apex body of our people,” Ngon said. “There are no hindrances from any of the authorities – be it Indian or Myanmar till date.”
The KTC President also disclosed that one Myanmar MP would also attend the General Session of the KTC.
Asked about any specific agenda they are about to discuss, the KTC President said they would generally discuss on overall developmental aspects of their people and to maintain their cultures and traditions.
Asked about his comment on Myanmar Government’s earlier move to build border demarcation fencing with India in Naga areas, the KTC President said how it could be, because their people living in Pangsha Indian side had its traditional and ancient cultivable lands and a huge track of virgin forests belonging to the Village (Pangsha Village). And this Pangsha Village has been arbitrarily demarcated and put in the Myanmar side by the so-called imaginary boundary line and border pillar, he added.
On the ongoing peace process, Ngon did not like to touch much on the Naga issue. He, however, disclosed that the KTC had been always playing the role to maintain a peaceful environment in the areas.
