Dimapur Naga Students Union, Youth Association of Nagaland condemn the Assam Rifles for stopping an NSF delegation at the Avakhung check gate in Meluri.
DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU) and the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) have condemned the action of the Assam Rifles in stopping a delegation of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at the Avakhung check gate in Meluri district on September 19.
In a press release, the DNSU expressed condemnation over what it termed high-handed and unjust actions of the Assam Rifles in stopping officials and members of the NSF.
It stated that restricting student leaders from visiting their own Naga kith and kin across the border is a direct attempt to sever the ancestral, cultural, and social ties uniting the Naga people.
The union maintained that the border drawn between India and Myanmar is an artificial division imposed upon the Naga ancestral homeland without the consent of its indigenous people. It added that boundaries created by state authorities cannot erase shared history, blood relations, or solidarity, pointing out that Nagas living in Myanmar are not foreigners but brothers and sisters sharing a common identity, heritage, and destiny.
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The DNSU stated that by preventing the NSF from exercising their fundamental right to visit and engage with their brethren, the Assam Rifles have shown a complete disregard for the sentiments and rights of the indigenous hill people.
“Such actions challenge the claim that security forces act in the interest of the local populace and instead foster division and resentment,” the statement read.
Standing in solidarity with the NSF, the DNSU reiterated that no arbitrary line or physical check gate can divide the Naga spirit or diminish the collective pursuit of unity. It demanded that authorities respect the rights and freedom of movement of the Naga people within their traditional homelands and refrain from imposing undue restrictions on peaceful delegations.
Meanwhile, the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN), in a separate press statement, expressed deep concern and condemnation over the reported incident.
While recognising the importance of national security, particularly in areas along the international border, YAN stated that any restriction placed on the peaceful movement of citizens or recognised student organisations must be based on clear, lawful, and legitimate grounds, with reasons communicated properly and transparently.
The association noted that the reported incident is particularly concerning given the long-standing social, cultural, and historical connections shared by Naga communities living on both sides of the India-Myanmar border.
YAN called upon the Government of India, the Assam Rifles, and all concerned authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide an explanation regarding the grounds on which the NSF delegation was stopped. In particular, it sought clarity on whether the restriction was based on any specific law, order, directive, or security-related instruction, and whether the reasons were properly communicated to the delegation.
It also urged authorities to establish a transparent mechanism through which legitimate cultural, social, and people-to-people engagements can take place while respecting national security protocols. YAN stated that national security and the rights and dignity of citizens should not be viewed as conflicting interests and appealed to authorities to address the matter through dialogue, transparency, and institutional communication.
Extending solidarity to the NSF, YAN appealed to all sections of society, particularly the youth, to remain calm and exercise restraint and democratic maturity through peaceful, lawful, and constitutional means.