In a memorandum submitted to the Union Home minister on Friday through the Governor of Manipur, the Naga organisations said, "With due respect, the Naga civil society organisations representing the Nagas in the present state of Manipur make this representation on the above stated matters following the fact-finding visits to Indo- Myanmar border areas by the Naga civil society organisations namely: United Naga Council, Naga Women's Union, All Naga Students Association Manipur and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights on 23 and 24th of May, 2024".

 

The memorandum stated that, the massive inflow of "fugitives" from Myanmar who are temporarily taking refuge in Kamjong areas in Manipur since November 2023 in the aftermath of political upheaval in Myanmar following the coup in 2021 and the subsequent fall of Thanan in Myanmar's Sagaing region have created unbearable hardships to the villagers of the areas where the "fugitives" are given temporary shelters.

 

"At stake is the survival of the downtrodden population-triggering series of adverse impacts to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of the native inhabitants," the memorandum also stated. The inmates being sheltered in 8 Tangkhul Naga villages numbering about 5457 have outnumbered the local residents, it informed. Increasing activities of anti-social elements is becoming unbearable with no law enforcing agencies to effectively control the same and foreign culture have overwhelmed the native customary practices due to sheer population imbalances, the memorandum further said.

 

"Although bio-metric has been captured for 5173 persons, monitoring the activities of adult male inmates has become a huge challenge as the authority cannot regularly conduct verifying exercises amid the fluctuating numbers of inmates between daytime and at night in those makeshift refugee camps. These dubious activities of young and adult members are also a cause of concern as their prolonged sojourn in our land will be detrimental to our wellbeing," it added.

 

"We have extended our hospitality wholeheartedly as a good neighbour and the state government has done its part well. While expressing our heartfelt sympathy at the plight of fellow human beings, we would urge you to explore ways and means to safely let them return home, now that violent confrontation has subsided in their country," the memorandum also said.

 

In addition to the harsh reality of life being confronted with by the local residents along the Indo-Myanmar borders, the civil society organizations are appalled to witness massive military mobilization exercises being conducted along the Indo-Myanmar border and the belligerent attitude of the military personnels operating there despite the Indo-Naga ceasefire agreement since 1997, the memorandum of the Naga organisations stated.

 

The Nagas are aware of the violent conflict in the neighboring country, Myanmar, and in the state of Manipur with devastating impact. But there is no valid reason apart from imaginary threat perception as to why Naga villages should be made a turf for war preparedness, it asserted. On the pretext of curbing movement of illegal refugees, arms and drug smuggling, the presence of men in combat camouflage uniform have created fear psychosis and insecurity to the villagers who are already reeling under the impact of massive inflow of fugitives from across the border, the memorandum also said. Occupying schools and village community halls that are located in the middle of the villages and thus robbing the privacy of the inhabitants and using the scarce resources of the villagers like water, natural resources, etc. depriving the villagers of their basic necessity, it further added.

 

The memorandum also said movement of huge military trucks/lorries at odd hours particularly at night across the borders disturbing the peace and tranquility of the villagers is highly questionable. The villagers have suffered for so long and their Human Rights Violated beyond tolerance. Frequent harassment of the trading community has become the order of the day with restriction of goods laden vehicles for days incurring massive losses to their business venture, the memorandum stated.

 

"In the light of the above, we urge your good self to kindly withdraw the Assam Rifles from those areas as we do not foresee any imminent threats as a consequence of the conflict from across the border unless the Union Government of India has any ulterior motive. We solicit your thoughtful and timely action," the memorandum of the Naga organisations to the Union Home minister apprised.