Speaking at the 31st Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) General Conference, Naogang Ngansa, President of the Naga Students’ Organization, Myanmar expressed deep concern over the fragmentation of the Naga people. “Nagas are divided into different corners and states. I feel very sad for the younger generation. We have very limited knowledge about Naga areas, Naga Land beyond the artificial and imposed border,” he said, adding that when he introduced himself as coming from Lahe, “most of them did not know where Lahe was.”
Outlining the geography and fragmentation of Eastern Naga areas, Ngansa said, “Nagas under Myanmar occupied Naga Land, we share a border from Arunachal. Our ancestral land starts from Arunachal Pradesh to Kachin Valley to Manipur side. When we measure that land, Eastern Nagas have vast land. We have Shinbwiyang, Tanai. Nagas in the Eastern side, we are also divided like in the Indian side like Manipur, Arunachal.” He noted, “Leshi, Lahe and Namyun- only these three townships are recognized as self-administered zones of the Nagas by the Burmese.”
In present conditions, he said, “Today, the political situation, the struggle of our people in the east is very miserable. After the military coup in Myanmar, you all have heard that Eastern lacks medical, education, connectivity and communication.” Despite hardships, he asserted, “Because of the Naga struggle, Naga movement and our political aspiration, eastern Nagas carry the cross of Naga sovereignty. Till today, we stand very clear in our principle. Till today, we have not made any single mistake.”
Rejecting integration into Myanmar, Ngansa said, “We have never been any part of the Burmese Union. You may have heard of the Panglong Agreement in 1947… Nagas were never part of it. We cannot go under the Union of Myanmar. We are not fighting for autonomy.” He recalled that even the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was rejected by Eastern Naga groups. “Because they rejected, in 2019, the Headquarter of NSCN/GPRN was overtaken and then the Burmese Junta government tried to crush the Naga national movement. But till today, the Naga national workers stand strong.”
He cautioned that any negotiation with the Burmese government over Eastern Naga areas would dilute their political stand: “If we start the negotiation with the Burmese government… our political future is gone.”
Ngansa also detailed multiple threats: “After the military coup, the eastern Nagas have come under threat from different corners—not only national threat but economy, education, healthcare is gone. In the North, the Kachins have started aggression and intrusion… We are not united, that is why our immediate neighbors are disrespecting our rights.” With no higher education or hospitals in Eastern Naga areas, he said many are forced to cross into Kachin territory, risking “kidnap and forceful recruitment to KIA.”
Highlighting further pressures, he said, “Junta is also applying the conscription law. We are being isolated in our own home and our village. Because of that we look to the western brothers on the Indian Side… but then the Indian threat again—Border fencing, abrogation of FMR.”
Calling for solidarity, Ngansa appealed, “I want our Nagaland brothers to give a thought on the situation and to reach out your hand at this time. Right time for the east and west to show support and solidarity.” He further criticized India’s restrictions, saying, “How cruel is India? Instead of reaching out on humanitarian ground, they have been applying restrictions on our movement.”
Ngansa urged collective resistance to divisive policies: “Earlier also, the Eastern and the Western Nagas have rejected the divisive policy of GoI, I really appreciate the United Naga Council. They really are taking the fight. Our Nagaland and other parts of Nagas also have fought but we should not allow the Southern Nagas to fight this alone. We have to be united. Today, they (Southern Nagas) are standing alone and we are watching. The Government of India will win. And when they are done, they will come to Nagaland and the rest of the Nagas will watch. If the fencing is done, then our political future is done…We cannot stand alone as a nation.”
“It is time for Nagas to see beyond our kitchens. It is time to really think in action of our political aspirations- not within state boundaries alone.”
