As fears of an Indo-Pakistan conflict intensify, the Naga Students’ Union Punjab (NSUP) has reported that over 80 Nagas have already been evacuated from Punjab and Chandigarh, with efforts still underway to assist others caught in the growing crisis.
In an update issued by NSUP President Sensen Ilang, the Union said it is “conducting a live format of collecting the information of all Nagas irrespective of whether the person is a student or working individual in Punjab and Chandigarh.” This real-time database, according to Ilang, will be forwarded to “higher authorities for record and for further assistance in the days to come should the situation here worsens.”
The Union took swift action after “receiving morbid news from reliable sources late in the evening of 8th May about attacks in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kapurthala and bordering districts in Punjab.” Ilang stated that an “extensive emergency meeting” was held by the newly elected NSUP executives to determine an appropriate course of action.
To avoid panic while ensuring preparedness, the Union issued a carefully worded public notice offering three options to its members:
Voluntary Evacuation: “Starting from the 9th of May, the Union will take up the immediate initiative to assist and facilitate the voluntary evacuation of students who wished to return home in light of the current situation.”
Stay with Precautions: “Students who preferred to remain in Punjab are to strictly follow government-issued guidelines and take all necessary precautions.”
Independent Travel Plans: Those opting not to avail the Union’s help were advised to “check the availability of train, bus and plane tickets and manage their travel plans accordingly.”
Given financial constraints, the NSUP noted that “travel expenses for smaller groups are paid by the individuals themselves,” while the Union is doing its best to subsidize the fares for larger groups with donations from its executives. “Being the newly elected tenure for 2025–2026, the Union is financially not strong enough to handle all travel expenses,” Ilang admitted.
The Union expressed deep gratitude to those who have supported the evacuation effort. “We are ever grateful for the help and support received from Ma’am Sharon Longchari, the RC Nagaland House; Naga Students Union Delhi; Mr. Austin for seamlessly assisting us with student accommodation on such short notice; Delhi Ao Kaketshir Telongjem; Mr. Imsanger Jamir; NSF and everyone who reached out to us during such distressing times,” the NSUP President stated.
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The NSUP also clarified that while it prioritizes “only its registered members within the jurisdiction of Punjab,” it has extended help to all Nagas “on humanitarian grounds and the need of helping all Nagas during such war-like crisis.”
In collaboration with the Naga Students’ Union Chandigarh, the NSUP has created and circulated online forms to track both students and working individuals in need of assistance. As of May 9, “some have left for Nagaland via road, train and planes, while some are seeking shelter in their friends’ and relatives’ residences and in Nagaland House RK Puram.”
Ilang concluded by saying, “this list as I have mentioned keeps increasing as more Nagas in Punjab and Chandigarh are being assisted and evacuated with utmost attention to their safety and well-being.”
The Union described the current situation as “second only to the devastating COVID-19 pandemic” in terms of stress and disruption to the student community.
