The village spans both sides of the border and has maintained peaceful relations.
Digital Desk: The Indo-Myanmar border village of Longwa is home to around approximately 6,000 people of the Konyak Naga tribe, which constitutes the majority population in Nagaland. Both sides of the border village exist peacefully until the Indian government ends the Free Movement Regime and builds a border fence leading to regional tension.
The 49 years old Tribal Chief Angh Tonyei Phawang of Longwa expressed sadness about this decision since his descends from ten generations of ancestors who lived in the region since the 1970s.
Phawang manages 35 villages, with 30 villages situated in Myanmar border and he stated that this decision implies his people and their land will be permanently lost. Longwa serves as an essential hub for residents of Myanmar because they utilize the superior services available on the Indian side. People in 35 villages maintain a shared Konyak Naga heritage because they coexisted peacefully throughout many generations.
During the tenure of former Chief Minister SC Jamir there was a plan to build an international trade center at Longwa, but the project failed to materialize. The community had been waiting for years to receive development with recognition, according to him.
In his discussion about his personal life, Phawang shared that his grandfather had 60 wives and he currently has two wives who come from Arunachal Pradesh and Longwa. Phawang expressed gratitude to his two wives as they managed jewelry sales and craft production in order to sustain their household. Despite the challenges, Phawang continues to advocate for peace and unity between India and Myanmar.
