Naga Hoho urges government’s support for refugees from Myanmar

DIMAPUR — In a representation to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the Naga Hoho has urged the government of Nagaland to extend all possible help and support, immediately arrange a border area humanitarian support team with all medical facilities, and arrange shelter and safety for the Nagas coming from Myanmar.

The hoho recommended that the government provide them with food and shelter, engage with the diplomatic community in India, the UNHRC to work on the refugee status of the Naga refugees in the state, INGOs to sustain long-term humanitarian assistance, and grant asylum status to asylum seekers.

It further asked the government to provide them with free education in Nagaland, provide accommodation for the students, and develop scholarship programmes for students in higher education, besides free medical health care facilities and health training programmes to build community health workers.

Also, the hoho recommended that the government provide them with skill and knowledge development training, develop special programmes to capacitate them, allow free passage at the border, and ensure their security while living in Nagaland.

The representation, signed by president HK Zhimomi and general secretary K Elu Ndang, said that it is believed that there are about 5,000 to 6,000 Nagas from Myanmar living in Nagaland, and since their arrival from Myanmar beginning in the 1970s, they have been treated as kins and given relief and support by individuals, families, village communities and authorities, churches, and civil societies.

“However, so far, we are yet to see any concrete and open policy coming from the Nagaland state government towards the Naga refugees’ problems from Myanmar. Therefore, the Nagas from Myanmar must be recognised as People of Concern (POC), and efforts to provide aid and support in a steadfast manner must be established,” it read.

It mentioned that the military coup in February 2021 resulted in new displacements, and thousands fled into India, particularly in Mizoram and hundreds into Nagaland. The hoho claimed that these new entrants in Nagaland are facing security and humanitarian crises like food and shelter, and they have very little access to education.

“It is our moral and bounden duty to extend all possible help towards securing the lives of our own people,” it said, adding that it is evident that the displacement crisis from Myanmar is expected to further escalate as Myanmar’s military junta continues to unleash its atrocities on its citizens and Nagas in particular.

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