The Alee (Foreign) Ministry, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has alleged that Nagas are being forcibly recruited by both sides in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and claimed that more than 80 Nagas have died in the fighting.
In a letter addressed to Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing and the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), the FGN expressed concern over the impact of the conflict on Naga-inhabited areas and urged all parties to refrain from involving Nagas in what it termed an internal issue of Myanmar.
“Reports have been received that over 80 Nagas have died while fighting alongside the Kachins against the Tatmadaw forces.
Meanwhile, the Tatmadaw Government is forcibly recruiting Nagas to fight the NUG forces. Nay, both sides have been forcibly recruiting Nagas,” the letter stated.
The FGN said Nagas in the eastern regions are facing severe hardship due to the conflict, including lack of essential commodities and healthcare, forcing many to move across territories where they are allegedly detained and recruited by armed groups.
Highlighting the humanitarian situation, the letter said Nagas are “neither here nor there,” and are viewed with suspicion by both sides despite being uninvolved in the conflict.
The FGN urged the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups to “refrain from influencing or forcibly engaging Nagas” and to ensure that Naga areas are not turned into battle zones.
“The Nagas of the eastern regions… are not part of the conflict in Myanmar… and as such both the ethnic groups and the Tatmadaw forces are urged to keep the peace in Naga territory and refrain from inconveniencing any Naga citizen,” it stated.
The letter also cautioned that the FGN “will not remain idle” if Naga civilians continue to be affected, adding that Naga territories should not be used as “a battlefield or spoils of war.”
At the same time, the FGN warned Naga groups or individuals involved in the conflict that they were acting “at their own risk” and without the mandate of the people.
The FGN further said it has apprised the Government of India on the matter and appealed for peace, stating that the “voice and dignity of the Naga people” must be respected.