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Morung Express news
Kohima | September 19
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Saturday alleged that Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Avangkhu Checkgate under Meluri district denied its delegation permission to enter Naga homeland at the Indo-Myanmar Borderland.
NSF President Heraang said a seven-member delegation was to visit the Naga Students’ Union in Myanmar for a cultural exchange ahead of an upcoming festival. The Phokhungri Area Public Organisation (PAPO), on behalf of the NSF, had written to the Assam Rifles Post Commander seeking permission to cross the border, but the request was rejected, leaving the federation dismayed.
“The post commander has clearly rejected on the phone call by stating that he will not give us the pass, and after which we came here in the gate, he started saying that to give a pass and to let the Naga Students’ Federation walk by foot towards the border area, which is unacceptable,” NSF President said in a video widely circulated at the checkgate.
The federation called the AR’s action unreasonable and arrogant, and said it was a serious matter to ponder. It alleged that the AP had challenged the integrity of the Naga people, and added that the federation would not tolerate this in any manner.
“Today, I wanted to question the post commander as well as the central government. With what authority they have stopped the movement of Naga people, where they very clearly know that Naga people are also living across the borders. So, we wanted to make it very clear and question the government with what intention they have banned us of not giving the pass,” Heraang said in the video.
The NSF further said it will give a strong non-cooperation against the Assam Rifle. “The Assam Rifle should take it very seriously. And from today, we will see how the armed forces also functions in our Naga homeland,” cautioned the Federation. “We have to do away from the culture of dominance and where they always claim that it is a democratic country. But today, democracy is being betrayed and as well as killed in Naga homeland. This, I want all the Naga people to understand and to know that Naga people and the Naga Students' Federation is being restricted to meet even our Naga people across the border.”
When asked whether the Assam Rifles had given any specific reason for rejecting the pass, the NSF said they had cited the Centre’s move for scraping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and stated that permission would have to come from a ‘higher authority.’
ASU, PSU condemn
Meanwhile, Angami Students’ Union (ASU) and Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) have condemned the incident.
In a statement, ASU questioned the action and expressed solidarity with the NSF, asserting the right of Naga people to move freely across their homeland. It also called on Naga citizens to remain prepared to respond to any call in support of their rights and aspirations.
PSU President Rongley Leyri and General Secretary Tsiarhotho Thsangkhure in their condemnation said “the incident occurred within Pochury jurisdiction at a location that is not merely a security installation but also an established point of public, commercial and people-to-people interaction.” The union demanded to know the specific grounds, security concern, evidence and legal authority under which the delegation was stopped, noting that necessary references for the visit had been submitted.
The PSU said “security cannot be a blanket justification for arbitrary restriction” and sought a written, legally tenable explanation from the Assam Rifles. It called upon the force and the Government of India to answer the Naga people transparently, adding that silence cannot substitute for accountability.
