Mokokchung, 17 April (MTNews): The Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) has expressed deep concern over the escalating political turmoil in the Naga areas of Myanmar, describing it as an “existential threat” to the Nagas.
According to the WC, young Naga men and women are being forcibly conscripted by the Junta.
“There is a sinister plot to make the Naga area the final battlefield between the Myanmar Military and the Peoples’ Democratic Force (PDF) and its Alliance,” stated the WC NNPGs.
The Burmese Army’s reported losses and retreats have left vast territories, personnel, and equipment in the hands of the PDF. Despite this, the Junta continues to conscript young Nagas, a move described by the WC as “pushing them over the cliff.”
“Forcing a man to kill his own blood brothers is barbaric and unacceptable,” added the WC NNPGs.
The WC also raised concerns about “few self-seeking prominent Nagas” collaborating with the Junta, allowing the Naga Self-Administered Area to become a safe haven for Junta forces stating they are “committing blunder of historic proportion.”
Major Naga townships such as Taga, Lahe, Khamti, Leshi, Homalin, and Thamanti are allegedly being used by the Myanmar Junta for regrouping and replenishment of its men and machines, it alleged.
The WC strongly condemned any Naga individuals or groups aiding the Myanmar Military Junta in suppressing the ideals of truth, justice, and federal democracy. They emphasized that those collaborating with the Junta would be on the wrong side of history.
The WC said it joins the free world in recognizing the need for Myanmar to transition into a peaceful democratic nation.
“This is the aspiration of the people of Myanmar. Nagas in Myanmar in particular and Myanmarese people in general do not need despots and tyrants trampling over their rights and freedom,” the WC maintained.
It further condemned the imposition of compulsory conscription in Naga areas and opposed the use of Naga soil to launch military strikes against those fighting to defend democracy. “Naga history will judge and identify those working hand in glove with the Junta,” it added.
On the issue of the suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) at the Indo-Myanmar border, the WC urged the Government of India (GoI) to recognize the political and historical importance of allowing the Nagas to promote, maintain, and value their common culture.
“Nagas are not soulless creatures reared for forced political and psychological confinement. Artificial boundaries cannot confine a man’s spirit,” it stated.
The WC also criticized the GoI for creating the Meitei-Kuki/Zo conflict, stating that this conflict has insulted and curtailed the thousand-year-old history, identity, and cultural progress of the Nagas. They argued that the 2023-24 “GoI-induced Meitei-Kuki” conflict is too narrow a prism to subjectively define the Naga people’s unresolved political issues and the FMR.
“Naga landscape is pre-independent India conversation,” added the WC emphasizing that the GoI cannot create a physical barrier to matters which echoes and resonates in the very soul of a people.
“This truth is higher and beyond numbered concrete poles, barbed wire and Meitei-Kuki narrative,” it stated.