The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed “outright opposition” to a proposal seeking the introduction of a new passenger train service connecting Moirabari (MBO) in Assam and Dimapur in Nagaland.
In a statement issued by NSF president Mteisuding and general secretary Kenilo Kent, the Federation said the proposal was reportedly submitted to the Divisional Railway Manager, NF Railway, Lumding Division, on June 1, 2026.
Questioning the rationale behind the proposal, NSF stated that there were already operational railway services connecting Assam and Dimapur and therefore found it “imperative to question the intent, rationale and what vested agenda lies behind the proposal placed forth by Dr. Asif Md. Nazar, MLA, Laharighat LAC, Assam Legislative Assembly.”
The Federation said the proposal raised “grave concerns on the actual intentions behind the demand and for whose interests such a service is intended to serve.”
Citing concerns over illegal immigration, NSF stated that Nagaland was “presently confronted with one of the most pressing demographic and security challenges in its history” and claimed that the “unabated influx of undocumented illegal immigrants into the North East region poses a grave existential threat to the socio-economic, cultural and political future of the indigenous peoples across all regions.”
The Federation further expressed concern that Dimapur, being the principal entry point into the State, could face increased risks of “the influx and unchecked movement of undocumented individuals into the Naga homeland.”
“In such a precarious situation, enhancing multiple direct corridors without addressing robust mechanisms of regulation, verification and monitoring is an existential genocide,” the NSF stated.
The Federation maintained that the “unique identity, land ownership rights, customs and traditions of the indigenous populace can only be protected when demographic integrity is preserved.”
NSF called upon the Ministry of Railways, Northeast Frontier Railway, the Government of Nagaland and other concerned authorities to undertake “a comprehensive assessment of the demographic, security and socio-economic implications” before considering the proposal.
The Federation also demanded “complete transparency regarding the basis of this proposal, the studies conducted, the stakeholders consulted and the specific public interest as sought to address against the backdrop of growing concerns over illegal immigration and demographic insecurity.”
Reiterating its stand, NSF stated that it rejected “any such developmental initiatives that comes at the expense of the security, identity and future of indigenous peoples” and asserted that activities compromising “the demographic and socio-political interests of the Naga people will be met with firm democratic resistance.”
