Naga Youths in Myanmar forcibly recruited into KIA, NSO Condemns Harassment and Taxation

The Naga Students’ Organization (NSO) in Lahe headquarters in Sagaing region, Myanmar, said it convened an emergency meeting with its federating units, tribal leaders, and the Naga Traditional and Literature Committee at the Naga Cultural Hall, Lahe, on June 22 to address pressing issues affecting the Naga community in Myanmar. The key topics included the imposition of heavy taxation by multiple factions and the recent random arrests and forced recruitment of Naga youths by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The emergency meeting, NSO press release said was convened amidst the brutal civil war in Myanmar that has left the Naga community in dire situation. The collapse of the economy, threats to food security, and disruptions of vital transportation routes have left the Naga people in a state of extreme vulnerability among others. To address these issues and reaffirm their commitment to the sacred covenant that binds the Naga community together, the Naga Students’ Organization (NSO) convened the emergency meeting at Lahe.

Naogang Ngansa, President NSO in a statement listed the series of resolution passed from the emergency meeting:

Dire Situation in Naga Hills

The Naga people in Myanmar are experiencing unprecedented hardships. The waterways and roadways, crucial for their livelihood, have been disrupted by different PDFs and underground groups for over a year. This blockade continues to sever the lifelines that connect the Naga Mountains to the cities, plunging the community into severe economic distress. Additionally, the Indian government’s restrictions on the free movement of Naga people, imposed during colonial times, exacerbate the isolation and hardship.

Natural disasters have further compounded these challenges, washing away homes, bridges, roads, farms, and hydroelectric sites. The devastation has left the infrastructure in ruins and the people without essential services. Over a hundred schools in the Naga Hills are non-functional due to a lack of teachers, putting the future of the children and youths at stake.

Atrocities by the KIA

The situation is further exacerbated by the actions of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Since February 2023, the KIA has been randomly kidnapping, hijacking, and arresting Naga youths traveling to Kachin State for various purposes, including schooling, work, medical care, and business. These youths, often taken from gold and jade mines or even directly from Naga villages under Kachin State, are forcibly recruited into the KIA. The number of Naga youths forcibly arrested and recruited is estimated to exceed 30, with many feared killed or missing in the conflict, sacrificing their lives for the interests of the Kachin people.

Emergency Meeting and Resolutions

In response to these severe challenges, the NSO, along with federating units, tribal leaders, and the Naga Cultural Committee, convened an emergency meeting on June 22, 2024. The key issues discussed and resolutions adopted are as follows:

1. Condemnation of Taxation and Harassment: The NSO categorically denounces the heavy taxation, ransom demands, and harassment imposed on innocent villagers by multiple factions. Such actions are intolerable and fundamentally unjust, perpetuating fear and oppression. The NSO demands that any such actions be brought before the community for justice. Suffering under the oppressive Indian army and military junta is bad enough; further suffering inflicted by our own people, who claim to be fighting for the Naga cause, cannot be endured.
2. Voluntary Assistance Only: Assistance to any Naga national workers or groups must be voluntary. Compulsory support through intimidation or coercion undermines unity and mutual respect. Demands for cash, domestic animals, or other resources beyond the agreed-upon yearly house tax and indent rations will not be entertained.
3. Urgent Dialogue with NSCN/GPRN Authorities: Naga public leaders will arrange a meeting with NSCN/GPRN authorities to ensure effective governance and protect the rights of the people. This meeting calls for accountability and collaborative leadership.
4. Memorandum to KIA: Despite the negative outcome of a recent meeting with KIA representatives at Takhet Naga Village under Shin Bwi Yan Township, Kachin State on June 12 and 13, 2024, the NSO will continue to seek peaceful dialogue. The NSO, Naga Literature Traditional and Cultural Committee Central, and Naga Baptist Convention will send a memorandum to the KIA, demanding an end to the random arrests and forced recruitment of Naga youths. If these appeals are ignored, the NSO will not remain silent.
5. Recall of Naga Youths: Tribal leaders are entrusted to recall Naga youths working in unsafe areas in Kachin State and prohibit further travel until a positive response is received from KIA authorities. This measure aims to ensure their safety and well-being.

Furthermore, the NSO said that the fight for democratic aspirations through coercion and at gunpoint is not only counterproductive but utterly defeats the purpose of the struggle. Exploiting the vulnerabilities of the Naga people, who are among the weakest nationalities in Myanmar, is unjust and morally reprehensible. It is unbecoming of any entity to take undue advantage of the people’s suffering.

History will not forgive those who stand on the wrong side of morality, ethics, and justice. These resolutions are a scathing indictment of the injustices inflicted upon the Naga people and a stirring call to action for all Naga leaders and organizations. By standing united and resisting coercive measures, the NSO reaffirms its commitment to a just, democratic, and peaceful future for the Naga people, added NSO.