Senapati: The Naga Civil Society Organisations, consisting of the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights – South (NPMHR-S), have written to the Union Home Minister through the Governor of Manipur, requesting the repatriation of illegal immigrants and fugitives from Myanmar to their country and the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the Indo-Myanmar border areas around Kamjong in Manipur.
In the letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, the Naga Civil Society Organisations, representing the Nagas in the present state of Manipur, made this representation following fact-finding visits to the Indo-Myanmar border areas on the 23rd and 24th of May, 2024.
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The letter stated that the massive inflow of fugitives from Myanmar, who have temporarily taken refuge in the Kamjong areas of Manipur since November 2023, has created unbearable hardships for the villagers providing temporary shelters. This influx occurred after the political upheaval in Myanmar following the coup in 2021 and the subsequent fall of Thanan in Myanmar’s Sagaing region.
At stake is the survival of the local population, triggering a series of adverse impacts on the livelihood, security, and well-being of the native inhabitants. The refugees, numbering about 5,457 and being sheltered in eight Tangkhul Naga villages, have outnumbered the local residents.
Increasing activities of anti-social elements have become unbearable, with no law enforcement agencies effectively controlling the situation. The overwhelming presence of foreign cultures has disrupted native customary practices due to population imbalances.
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Although biometric data has been captured for 5,173 individuals, monitoring the activities of adult male refugees has become a huge challenge, as the authorities cannot regularly conduct verification exercises amidst the fluctuating numbers of refugees between daytime and nighttime in those makeshift camps.
The dubious activities of young and adult members are also a cause of concern, as their prolonged stay in the area could be detrimental to the well-being of residents in nearby villages. The Naga civil societies have reportedly extended their hospitality wholeheartedly as good neighbors, and the state government has done its part well. While expressing their heartfelt sympathy for the plight of fellow human beings, the civil society organisations urged the Union Home Minister to explore ways and means to safely facilitate the refugees’ return home, now that violent confrontations have subsided in their country.
In addition to the harsh realities faced by local residents along the Indo-Myanmar borders, the civil society organisations are appalled by the massive military mobilization exercises being conducted along the border and the belligerent attitude of the military personnel operating there, despite the Indo-Naga Ceasefire agreement since 1997.
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The Nagas are aware of the violent conflict in neighboring Myanmar and Manipur, but there is no valid reason, apart from imaginary threats, for Naga villages to be made a turf for war preparedness. Under the pretext of curbing the movement of illegal refugees, arms, and drug smuggling, the presence of combat-uniformed military personnel has created a fear psychosis and insecurity among villagers already reeling from the impact of the massive influx of fugitives.
The occupation of schools and village community halls, which are located in the middle of the villages, robs the inhabitants of their privacy and deprives them of basic necessities by using their scarce resources like water and other natural resources.
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The movement of huge military trucks and lorries at odd hours, particularly at night, disturbs the peace and tranquility of the villagers. The villagers have suffered for too long, with their human rights violated beyond tolerance. Frequent harassment of the trading community has become the norm, with restrictions on goods-laden vehicles for days, causing massive losses to their businesses.
In light of the above, the Naga Civil Society Organisations urged the Union Home Minister to kindly withdraw the Assam Rifles from these areas, as they do not foresee any imminent threats resulting from the conflict across the border unless the Union Government of India has any ulterior motives.
The organisations solicit thoughtful and timely action from the Union Home Minister.
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