Conscription law enacted by military Junta against the wishes of Naga people: ENNWF, NSCN-IM

Mokokchung, 15 April (MTNews): The Eastern Naga National Workers Forum (ENNWF), NSCN-IM has strongly denounced the recent conscription law implemented by Myanmar’s Military Junta. The law mandates the enlistment of all adult males and females, a move that the ENNWF has labeled as “oppressive” and “against the wishes of the Naga people.”

In a statement, the ENNWF said that the Nagas have consistently maintained neutrality amidst the ongoing clashes between the Military Junta and the NUG – People’s Defense Force. This neutrality, the ENNWF clarified, is not borne out of fear but is a commitment to upholding political legitimacy and fostering peace within the Naga Nation.

The ENNWF urged the Military Junta to refrain from using Naga youths as human shield in the conflict between the Junta and the People’s Defense Force. Instead, it advised the Junta to engage in constructive dialogue to address the turmoil and restore democracy in the country.

Additionally, the ENNWF called upon the Nagas to refrain from conscription, which it said is a form of colonialism. It encouraged the Nagas to assert their birthrights and resist such oppressive measures.

The ENNWF emphasized the enduring struggles faced by the Naga people, stating, “Nagas have endured the suffering inflicted by the gun barrels of Burma and India with our parents, brothers and sisters enduring, starvation, torture and death for far too long. In the pursuit of Naga freedom, we have sacrificed countless years. The time has come for us to unite, revive our spirit, and steadfastly assert our rights.”

Highlighting the historical context, the ENNWF pointed out that the Naga people have never been under the dominion of Burma or India since time immemorial. “The various Naga tribes first encountered the Burmese in a confrontational manner not many years ago. However, the Eastern Nagas maintained self-reliance until Burma and India forcefully imposed their colonial powers,” the statement added.