The Working Committee (WC) Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) is deeply disturbed by the gravity of the situation in Naga areas of Myanmar. The political turmoil is slowly snowballing into an existential threat for Nagas. Young Naga men and women are being conscripted by the Junta against their will. There is a sinister plot to make the Naga area the final battlefield between Myanmar Military and the People’s Democratic Force (PDF) and its Alliance. The Burmese Army has reportedly incurred tremendous loss, abandoning vast swathes of territory, men and equipment’s to PDF. At this hour, conscription young Naga men and women to military is like pushing them over the cliff. Forcing a man to kill his own blood brothers is barbaric and unacceptable.
Few self-seeking prominent Nagas collaborating with Juntas and converting Naga Self-Administered Area into safe heaven for Junta forces to launch offensives against ethnic pro-democratic forces are committing blunder of historic proportion. Major Naga townships like Naga towns such as Taga, Lahe, Khamti, Leshi, Homalin, Thamanti etc. are being used by Myanmar junta to regroup and replenish its men and machines. Naga individuals or groups involved in aiding Myanmar Military Junta in their desperate attempt to suffocate the ideals of truth, justice and federal democracy, would be on the wrong side of history. WC, NNPG joins the free world in recognising the need for Myanmar to transition into peaceful democratic nation. This is the aspiration of the people of Myanmar. Nagas in Myanmar in particular and Myanmarese people in general do not need despots and tyrants trampling over their rights and freedom. Naga history will judge and identify those working hand in gloves with the Junta. WC vehemently condemns imposition of compulsory conscription in Naga areas and opposes the use of Naga soil to launch military strikes against those fighting to defend democracy.Â
On the question of suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) on the Indo-Myanmar border, the Government of India (GoI) must recognise that it is the political and historical necessity for the Nagas to promote, maintain and value their common culture. Nagas are not soulless creatures reared for forced political and psychological confinement. Artificial boundaries cannot confine a man’s spirit. Meitei-Kuki/Zo conflict is the creation of GoI. A thousand years of Naga history, identity and cultural progress cannot be insulted, regulated and curtailed through the 2023-24 GoI-induced Meitei-Kuki communal flame. This is too narrow a prism to subjectively ground the Naga people on unresolved political issues and also on FMR. The Naga landscape is a pre-independence Indian conversation. GoI cannot create physical barriers to matters that echo and resonate in the very soul of a people. This truth is higher and beyond numbered concrete poles, barbwires and the Meitei-Kuki narrative.
Source: Media Cell WC, NNPGs
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