Ukhrul, July 23: The Naga Students’ Organisation (NSO), Lahe town, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the 16 Naga Army personnel detained by the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) on July 18. The NSO warned that further delay or harm will be seen as direct escalation conflict.
In a letter addressed to the KIA and Kachin people on Tuesday, the NSO stated that on July 18, 2025, the KIA forces, in a heavily armed and calculated operation, outnumbered the Naga Armies and captured 16 Naga Army personnel along with their weapons at Chanra Gate, in the Naga ancestral region.
“This blatant act of hostility has shocked the entire Naga region. Let us be clear: Is this a new declaration of war by the Kachins on the Naga people? Are the Kachins now testing the patience and restraint of the Nagas?”
The NSO condemned in the strongest possible terms the provocative act of aggression by the KIA and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the Naga personnel and all confiscated arms.
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The NSO also warned the KIA and Kachin people that if the current aggression continues, the Kachins will be held fully responsible for any future unrest or collapse of peace between the Nagas and the Kachins.
“For decades, the Naga and Kachin peoples have shared a deep bond of brotherhood, grounded in mutual respect, shared struggle, and common aspirations for freedom and dignity. This relationship has long stood as a symbol of ethnic solidarity in the face of oppression. However, in recent years — particularly following the military coup in 2021— this bond has come under serious threat due to repeated and unprovoked acts of aggression from the KIA,” the NSO stated.
Expressing concern over a troubling rise in harassment, illegal detention, and abduction of Naga civilians, the NSO claimed that hundreds of Naga youths are conscripted against their will, some disappearing without trace, others feared to have been used as human shields in armed conflict.
“We have witnessed a troubling rise in harassment, illegal detention, and even abduction of naga civilians-youths, men, women, and minors- traveling to Kachin state for education, work, healthcare or trade. Naga youths are forcibly taken from gold and jade mines, from their homes and from border Naga villages under Kachin state. Hundreds of Naga youths are reportedly conscripted against their will, some disappearing without trace, others feared to have been used as human shields in armed conflict. These are not acts of comradeship. These are acts of direct insult and provoking war against the peace loving Nagas,” the NSO stated.
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“Despite these grave provocations, the Naga people have shown restraint. We have not retaliated. Instead, we have continuously extended a hand of peace-hoping the Kachin leadership would come to its senses and remember the strength that once came from our alliance. Yet that hope is wearing thin,” it stated.
It further stated that on June 7, 2024, a delegation of the NSO departed from Lahe to initiate a peaceful dialogue with the KIA leadership to address the growing crisis but the team was blocked from proceeding further from Takhet Naga village under Shin Bwi Yan Township. The NSO alleged that they were denied access to the KIA headquarters on baseless grounds.
“A discussion did take place on June 12 and 13 with lower-ranking KIA officers but yielded no constructive resolution. Still we returned in good faith, believing the KIA might choose the path of peace. However, the aggression has only intensified,” the NSO stated.
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Pointing out the July 18, 2025 incident, the NSO affirmed that the Nagas, bound by ancestral duty and national pride, would no longer tolerate repeated assaults on their dignity, freedom, or sovereignty. “
“The Nagas are not at fault. It will be the Kachins, through the actions of the KIA, who have chosen a path of confrontation. Let it be known that the unity and strength of the Naga people rise in proportion to the injustice inflicted upon us. If pushed beyond our limit, we will respond-not in weakness, but in righteous defence. We still hope the Kachin leadership will correct its course. But peace will not come at the cost of our people’s blood or betrayal of our cause,” NSO added.