Western Naga Youth Front affirms citizens' rights to free association

DIMAPUR — The Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF), formed on October 14, 2024, has affirmed that in any democratic and civil society, every citizen has the constitutional right to freely associate, organise, and form bodies that work for the welfare and well-being of their people.

In a press release, the youth front stated that the concept of unity is the opposite of “mushrooming organisations” as it consolidates the numerous individual organisations under one banner.

“Recognising the pressing need to unite and collaborate in safeguarding the safety, security, rights, and welfare of our people and upholding the true spirit of Naga brotherhood, the various Naga tribal youth organisations, along with supporting organisations, collectively came under one umbrella to form the Western Naga Youth Front (WNYF) in the erstwhile undivided Dimapur,” the WNYF stated.

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The youth front also mentioned that each of these organisations are officially endorsed by their respective tribal apex bodies in the erstwhile undivided Dimapur, and have come together in full consensus to represent their respective communities within the WNYF framework.

“While WNYF does not claim any administrative jurisdiction, its area of concern includes all regions inhabited by its member communities within the erstwhile undivided Dimapur, which cannot be exclusively represented by any one particular tribe but represents the diverse Naga society as a whole,” it maintained.

Further, the front stated that an official executive council, comprising the presidents of all member organisations, presently functions as the nomination committee tasked with constituting WNYF’s full leadership structure.

This committee remains open and welcomes any other Naga tribal youth organisations who are yet to join, to inclusivity and unity for all, it added.