In this critical assembly on the 2nd of February 2024, at Naga Cultural Morung, Lahe Town, we, the representatives from the Naga Tribal Hohos and Students’ Bodies across Myanmar-occupied Naga Land, came together to address the pressing issues surrounding the withdrawal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the proposed reconstruction of border fencing, announced by Mr. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister of India, on 20th January 2024.
Tapping into the indomitable spirit of Naga resilience, honed over centuries of resisting subjugation and oppression, the Naga Student’s Organization (NSO) convened this emergency assembly. We recognize the resource politics of enclosure and, in response; we discern and defy the covert Akhand Bharat agenda. This agenda, marked by the divisive tactic of creating borders and manipulating civil society, emerges as India’s new frontier of war. We stand united, determined to resist any attempts at territorial encroachment or manipulation.
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Resolutions Adopted:
- Sovereign Opposition:
● We affirmatively declare our stance against any unilateral move by the governments of India or Myanmar to enclose the Naga Homeland without our explicit consent.
● We pledge to vehemently oppose and protest such actions with unwavering determination. - Fencing Resistance:
● We make a firm resolution to dismantle any fencing erected within the Naga Homeland by any government.
● We collectively commit to preserve the openness of our Naga Homeland, resisting external impositions on our territorial integrity. - Freedom of Movement:
● We assertively declare that Naga people shall enjoy unrestricted access to their farmlands, fields, Naga villages, and towns within the Naga Homeland.
● We reaffirm that Naga citizens shall not be subjected to passport or visa requirements within our sovereign territory. - Peace and Harmony Mandate:
● We resoundingly remind the government of India to prioritize the significance of maintaining peace and harmony within the Naga Homeland.
● We emphasize the integral role of our Naga Homeland as the keystone of India’s Act East Policy, urging authorities to consider the delicate balance crucial for regional stability.
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Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the proposed withdrawal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the ill-conceived plan of border fencing raise a poignant question – is this the hallmark of New India’s Ram Rajya? We, the Nagas, have never been subjugated by conquest or annexation, and these actions betray the very essence of Nagaland’s historical resistance and autonomy.
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Furthermore, instead of capitalizing on the unprecedented opportunity presented by the Myanmar crisis, where democracy struggles against a merciless junta, India seems to have lost the plot, yet again. This suppression of our people’s rights not only jeopardizes the prospects for regional stability but also contradicts the ideals of the world’s largest democracy. India should be facilitating democracy and human rights rather than contributing to oppressive measures.
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This declaration encapsulates our collective will and determination, reflecting our unwavering commitment to the promotion of our cultural identity, territorial integrity, and the pursuit of peace within our Naga Homeland.
In Unity We Stand, Representatives of Naga Student’s Organization, Naga Tribal Hohos, and Student’s Bodies – Eastern Naga Land.
(Published by the Naga Student’s Organisation Lahe HQ, Sagaing Region, Myanmar dated February 2, 2024, 9:00 AM, at Naga Cultural Morung, Lahe Town)
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