The Pochury Students’ Union backs NSF demands over security arrangements at Avakhung, seeking civilian access, healthcare, livelihood protection and greater transparency.
Students’ body backs NSF demands on security, healthcare, livelihood and public infrastructure
DIMAPUR — The Pochury Students' Union (PSU) has endorsed the representations made by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) concerning the security and administrative situation at Avakhung village in Meluri district, calling for immediate measures to safeguard civil liberties, healthcare access and livelihood activities.
In a press statement, the PSU said the September 19 incident, in which an NSF goodwill delegation travelling to Avakhung for a scheduled cultural exchange programme with the Naga Students’ Organisation (NSO) was allegedly impeded, raised serious concerns.
It also criticised the reported refusal of the concerned Assam Rifles company commander to grant the delegation a meeting, stating that such actions could undermine institutional goodwill and constructive engagement between civil society and security establishments.
Backing the NSF’s demands, the PSU called for the immediate relocation or decommissioning of the Avakhung Check Gate from the village proper and the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles outpost from civilian habitation areas.
It said the measures were necessary to preserve civic spaces and reduce public distress.
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The students’ body also called for unhindered access to healthcare, particularly for patients requiring urgent medical attention.
It said the movement of patients and emergency medical vehicles to dispensaries and other health facilities should not be obstructed.
The PSU further raised concerns over reported domiciliary visits, questioning of residents by personnel in civilian attire and surveillance of local people.
It called for an end to what it described as unwarranted surveillance and urged that the privacy and fundamental rights of civilians be protected.
On livelihood concerns, the union said border communities depend heavily on agriculture, local trade and supply chains, and called for an end to arbitrary obstruction of agricultural produce, essential commodities and lawful commercial movement.
The PSU also sought transparency over the legal authority and administrative orders governing the use or operational control of public infrastructure in Avakhung, including facilities belonging to the International Trade Centre and the state departments of Health & Family Welfare, Industries & Commerce, and Transport.
It maintained that all security arrangements in Nagaland should operate within the statutory framework and in coordination with the competent civil authorities and the state government.
The PSU appealed to the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Government of Nagaland to take cognisance of the representations and initiate remedial measures, asserting that civilian welfare, constitutional propriety, peaceful livelihood and access to essential services must be protected.