His Majesty Tonyei Phawang
Chief Angh of Longwa Village
Longwa Village, one of the major villages in Mon District is strategically located on the Indo-Myanmar Border. The village is a home to an approximate of 6000 people practically living in both the countries, but under one Anghship, one Church and one Administration. As per recent records, there are 990 households in Longwa Village, scattered in both Indian and Myanmar Territories. And, exactly on the boundary line, there are 170 households including Chief Angh's Residence, Govt Primary School, Church, Assam Rifles Post, Shops and other public properties. Longwa has Eight (8) Jhum Farmlands and Two (2) Forest Reserves in total from which Four (4) Jhum Farmlands and One (1) Forest Reserve falls under Myanmar Territory.
As a village, Longwa originated in the 16th Century. It was only during the 20th Century (1970-71), the two nations of India and Myanmar jointly demarcated the boundary line through the middle of the village and divided the village between two countries. It may be noted that the boundary demarcation was done without the concrete knowledge of the village people: should our people of the time knew the idea of dividing the village among the two countries, there wasn't a way to accept the proposal but to out rightly reject the same. However, despite of the boundary demarcation that tried to differentiate the identity of our society, we have been living with a single identity as proud citizens of Longwa Village and Konyak Nagas since time immemorial. And till this day, without any single border tension we have been immensely contributing to peaceful co-existence with people from beyond the border particularly the country of Myanmar
However, on 20th January 2024 while addressing the passing out parade of Commandos of Assam Police at Guwahati in the state of Assam, Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister affirmed that the Government of India will be putting up fence along India's border with Myanmar in Northeast. The Union Minister also announced that the government had been deliberating on the existing agreement with Myanmar and has decided to remove the Free Movement Regime (FMR). With all due respect to the-chair of the Home Minister, I express my disagreement on the statement since it will even divide us socially and culturally. If the GOI execute the plan, the occupants living along the border will be adversely affected in multiple ways. Especially in the case of Longwa village, since we are scattered in both the sides, our separation by erection of border fence is something we never thought of and in any circumstances, we will not accept the idea.
Therefore, on behalf of the people of Longwa, I dearly urge the State Government led by the Chief Minister to look into the matter and voice out against the Scrapping of Free Movement Regime (FMR) and subsequent erection of Border Fencing on the Indo-Myanmar Border.
I sincerely lay high hopes on his benevolent authority and also assure my fullest cooperation towards any of his approaches on this matter.
