NSCN (IM), FNR, NMA condemn Myanmar military offensive in Naga areas

Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has condemned the “diabolic and outrageous” military action of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) coordinated by the Indian security forces in Naga villages along the Indo-Myanmar border.

“The chaotic situation thus created by the blatant offensive of the Tatmadaw has destabilised the livelihood of the Naga villagers as the Naga people are made to bear the brunt of the Tatmadaw onslaught. What has happened to Hoyat and Laonyu villages is just another act of treachery which will not help strengthen the peace process started by Myanmar government under the 2012 ceasefire agreement,” read a press release from the group on Sunday.

What is important for the Myanmar government, it stated, is to take cognisance of the historical and political rights of the Nagas and go for peaceful means because neither India nor Myanmar is an enemy of the Nagas.

“Aggression of the Indian armed forces in collaboration with the Myanmar armed forces on the rights of the Nagas in that part of Naga territory in the guise of flushing out the Meitei armed groups – UNLF, PLA and ULFA from Assam is a naked and deliberate violation of human rights.

Given the hostility shown by the Tatmadaw’s operation in the so-called Indo-Myanmar corridors, the road to peaceful solution may get jeopardised if they fail to recognise the need for trust, respect and mutual understanding that goes together in solving a political problem that is more complex than one could see.”

Under such circumstances, it stated, Naga people cannot remain “aloof from what our fellow Nagas in the east under Myanmar occupation” are going through at the hands of the Tatmadaw. “We are one Naga family and we express profound solidarity with them at this critical stage of their suffering.”

Also, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) stated that it was deeply disturbed with the ongoing situation of armed confrontation between the Myanmar army and the NSCN (K), resulting in suffering of innocent civilians and destruction of properties in Naga villages in the Naga Self-Administered Zone.

“We send our message of solidarity and hope to the civilians whose safety, livelihood, properties and physical movements are being threatened and denied,” read a statement on Sunday.

It appealed that the recent armed confrontation, “which is buttressed by regional national security interests”, should not sabotage the mental, economic and physical well-being of innocent Naga civilians.

“That conducting armed confrontation, torture and harassment of people and destruction of properties in civilian inhabited areas must be avoided; that the Myanmar army and NSCN-K work to honour the regional-level ceasefire that was signed in April 2012; that intervention of Naga community leaders, humanitarian aid and human rights workers be made possible based on accepted international principles.”

In a separate statement, the Naga Mothers’ Association also expressed deep concern at the sufferings meted out to Nagas in Myanmar. “As mothers who seek peace within all Naga inhabited areas and for our people as well as our northeast neighbours, the NMA strongly appeal to the Burmese authority, the Tamadaw, the NSCN (K) as well as the Indian army on the borders, to ensure that initiatives for peace is upheld for the sake of the people, the unarmed population whose lives and property are endangered through such violent incidents,” it stated.