Kohima: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has written to United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antònio Guterres calling for “urgent intervention against further fragmentation of the Naga homeland.”
“The Naga Ceasefire Agreement and various other agreements and joint statements with the Government of India and Myanmar (formerly Burma) have given hope for a political solution,” it said, adding that “the situation has become critical.”
In its letter, the NSF drew attention to the Government of India’s (GoI) decision to “end the regime of arbitrary India-Myanmar border fencing and free movement”. “This move is a clear proof of the indifference and indifference of the Government of India towards the birthright of the Nagas and the hope of the Naga people to once again live as a free people,” the federation said.
It said the GoI was “acting in an undemocratic manner” to keep the Nagas under permanent siege. The NSF said that the proposal to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and end the regime of free movement is one of the repressive policies that will destroy the daily livelihood of the Nagas living across the border, basic agriculture and microeconomic activities can be controlled.
“Even as the rightful owners of the land, the Nagas were never consulted when India and Myanmar demarcated their so-called international border,” the NSF said.
Further, he pointed out that the Memorandum of Understanding also referred to as the Free Movement Regime regulates the movement of citizens of India and Myanmar up to 16 (sixteen) kilometers along the India-Myanmar International Border “to the Nagas.” Wasn’t even told.”
It said that historically, the existing artificial boundary has no practical relevance whatsoever for the day-to-day lives and realities to the Nagas way of life, culture and identity, particularly to the villages along the assumed international border.
“Therefore, this sacred freedom of movement and the right to unrestricted mobility across the arbitrary international border not only confront Naga historical and traditional rights, but also a very destructive and tyrannical design against Naga people inalienable human rights,” the NSF stated.
It informed that the proposed fencing disregards the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples 2007 (UNDRIP) of which India is a signatory. “Article 36 of the UNDRIP explicitly recognizes the indigenous people divided by international borders to maintain and develop connections, relations, and cooperation across borders for various purpose,” the NSF pointed out.
The federation cautioned that continuous attempts to disrupt Naga society would sow the seeds of discord and unrest in the entire region. “If the present peace talk fails to bring a logical conclusion, the younger generation may be compelled to revive the demand, as it was in the beginning. Such situation would be too costly for the people of Naga homeland, India, Myanmar and the neighbours,” it stated.
The NSF asked the United Nations (UN) Secretary General to immediately stop the programme for abolishing Free Movement Regime and the proposed fencing on the arbitrary India-Myanmar boundary in Naga homeland.
It also asked the UN Secretary General to closely monitor the state of affairs across Naga homeland and support for peaceful resolution to the Indo-Naga-Myanmar political issue which would be just, long lasting, inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all the parties involve.
Further it asked him to explore the possibilities for a fresh referendum under the supervision of international bodies.
Related
On Liangmai ancestral land UNC strongly rejects claims of COTU
November 1, 2024For torturing two Naga youths ANSAM accuses Arambai Tenggol
November 1, 2024Impeachment of Singnya NNC/FGN Sumi Region ‘validates’
November 1, 2024
Leave a reply Cancel reply
About.
An Independent News Portal , Reporting the unreported truth of our region.