Militarisation and violation of Naga people’s rights have bedeviled peace in the region — GNF

Dimapur, Nov. 12 (EMN): Referring to an incident, which occurred to a group of Global Naga Forum (GNF) members travelling to Shilloi, who were held up and questioned by the Assam Rifles, the GNF stated that instead of Nagas being peacemakers between India and Myanmar, militarisation and violations of Naga people’s human rights in both countries for over seven decades have bedeviled peace and wellbeing in the region. 

An update informed that GNF had initiated Shilloi Relief and Peace mission for the Nagas in Myanmar, who are living in conditions of extreme deprivation, wherein many lack proper housing, some are made to do forced labour by government agents and they live under constant threat from security forces, including villages being attacked on suspicion of anti-government activity, forced lockdowns due to the pandemic.

It was in view of these conditions that GNF members from both sides of the border planned a relief mission. Twenty-one volunteers travelling from both ends coordinated and met in Shilloi to transfer the donated goods to those with urgent needs, it stated.

However, the downside of the mission was being held up by the Assam Rifles personnel, late night at Washelo and needlessly being questioned about personal details and having their phones checked. It was only through the intervention of Nagaland Home minister, Y Patton that the situation was brought under control, it said.

The incident only brings up the larger and more troubling question about violations of basic human rights of the Naga people even in our own homeland. Peace in the region depends on mutual respect among the peoples and democratic governments, it read.

‘Our mission was wholly sustained by Article 36 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIPs), to which both India and Myanmar are signatories. The Naga homeland is situated between India and Myanmar and Nagas have the potential to become peacemakers between India and Myanmar. We therefore, appeal to all the stakeholders to uphold one another’s human rights’, the update added.