The Federal Government of Nagaland has urged Tatmadaw government Myanmar, National Unity Government and other ethnic groups not to engage Nagas in the ongoing conflict.
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To,
1. His Excellency Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
Tatmadaw (Military Junta) &
Chairman, State Administration Council (SAC),
Naypidaw, Myanmar.
2. Mr. Duwa Lashi La
President,
National Unity Government of Myanmar.
Dear Messrs,
I hope this letter finds you well. The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has been keenly observing the political developments in your country Myanmar. We hope good sense prevail and peace becomes a reality in Myanmar without much delay.
No matter how much we observe and make assumptions of the situation in your country, it is not for us to interfere in such an internal issue. However, it is gravely important to note that Nagaland being a neighbour of Myanmar is being affected by the internal strife which is happening in your country. The FGN would, therefore, like to state a few words on the pertinent matter.
It is important to note that Nagaland is a sovereign independent nation and is being illegally occupied by India in the west and Myanmar in the east. We declared our age-old ancient independent existence on the 14th August 1947, and ratified it in the National Plebiscite of May 16, 1951 and established the Federal Government of Nagaland on the 22nd of March 1956.
The Eastern regions of Nagaland, which are presently under Myanmarese occupation, remained outside the domain of colonial influence and continued to be independent. However, these eastern regions of Nagaland were occupied by erstwhile Burma in connivance with India who occupied the western regions of our country, Nagaland. The Nagas, therefore, fought a defensive war against both.
It is also pertinent to note that the Nagas never resorted to, nor were part of any initiative (not even the famed Panglong Agreement of 1947) to be implicated as part of any other nation other than Nagaland.
As such, the FGN urge the Tatmadaw Government, the NUG, and the ethnic groups such as the Kachins, Shans etc., to refrain from influencing or forcibly engaging Nagas in a conflict which is none of their concern.
Reports have been received that over 80 Nagas have died while fighting alongside the Kachins against the Tatmadaw forces. Meanwhile, the Tatmadaw Government is forcibly recruiting Nagas to fight the NUG forces. Nay, both sides have been forcibly recruiting Nagas. The Nagas being in such a warlike situation are suffering from lack of essential commodities and proper healthcare. They are, therefore, compelled to venture out into neighbouring territories to facilitate their urgent needs but are detained and forcibly recruited by both sides. While being on both sides of the conflict for no fault of theirs, they are now deemed suspicious by both conflicting parties as they are neither here nor there.
To drive home the point, it must be made clear that Nagas are neither Burmans nor are they an ethnic group of Myanmar. Nagas are Nagas of Nagaland and are living in their own country called Nagaland. For this reason, the Nagas of the eastern regions of Nagaland are not part of the conflict in Myanmar nor are they engaging themselves in the conflict, and as such both the ethnic groups and the Tatmadaw forces are urged to keep the peace in Naga territory and refrain from inconveniencing any Naga citizen.
The FGN will not remain idle in such situations where our ordinary citizens are made mere cannon fodder for both sides. The territory of Nagaland is not for sale nor is it there to be taken as a battlefield or spoils of war for warring groups.
Meanwhile, the so called Naga groups or factions involving themselves in Myanmar's imbroglio are doing so at their own risk and do not carry the mandate of the people. They have nothing to do with the wishes of the people except for the selfish personal gain of their leaders. The Naga groups and individuals who are deeply involved have no support of the citizens and are making a mess out of Myanmar's conflict. It is to be noted that these groups and individuals must immediately refrain from such activities lest the people rise to the occasion, and there is no longer any hope for their existence as Nagas.
The NUG and Tatmadaw Governments are urged to keep in mind that such groups are at your service for their own personal gain and the Naga citizens should not be held accountable nor our territories be made part of any outcome of their involvement in the internal conflict of Myanmar. This must be taken very seriously. And as far as these Naga groups forcibly recruiting our own citizens are concerned, it is an internal matter which will be taken care of by our own people and national government.
We hope that the issue at hand will be taken seriously and resolved at the earliest before situations and circumstances play into another tune which may not benefit either the ethnic groups of Myanmar and the Tatmadaw Government or the Naga groups. We are apprising the same to the Government of India. We hope understanding and peace prevail lest another deluge of war occurs. We once again appeal that the voice and dignity of the Naga people be respected and safeguarded.
Akho Meru,
Alee (Foreign) Ministry,
Federal Government of Nagaland.