Myanmar Nagas submit representation
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, March 13 2013:
The Nagas based in Myanmar have placed a serious representation before the Government of Myanmar on Monday.
A copy of the paper was made available to Newmai News Network today which was jointly signed by Hnin Wa (Chairman), Naga Tradition and Culture SubTownship Committee, Yangon, Zaw Wint Phyo, Secretary of Naga Hills Development Network, Naw Aung Sann (President), Naga Student Youth Federation, Yangon, Rev.Sein Maung (General Secretary), Naga Baptist Convention and Rev.Tsimuthong (Pastor) of Naga Baptist Christian Fellowship, Yangon.
According to the paper, the Naga people are the indigenous people in present Myanmar and in present India and they have their own dialects, culture, customs, long history and distinctive identities.
The paper reminded that the region in which the Nagas are residing (in Myanmar) has been recognized as the Naga Self-Administered Zone in the 2008 Constitution of the Union of Myanmar according to their cultural and distinctive identities, geographical territory and population ratio.
"The reply in the Parliament (Myanmar) in which the Naga people are included as one of the 53 tribes of Chin ethnic group cannot be accepted at all," the paper asserted.
"The baseless, unacceptable and non-logical reply of the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Population (Myanmar) can impact on the national unity and reconciliation.
The inclusion of the Naga people as the tribes in the other nationalities is seriously rejected.
We deeply and seriously request to re-issue the amendment and addendum the nationality lists legally issued by the State.
Besides, the Naga people are being displayed and featured as the tribes of Chin nationality in the Union National Races' Village.
The Naga traditional appurtenance and utensils are displayed as the Chin national races' traditional objects.
We seriously requested to remove and withdraw these displayed items as soon as possible," the Naga organisations in Myanmar demanded from the government.
"We seriously demand and request any person, any organization or any business institution not to mention, describe or refer the Naga people and the Naga region intentionally or unintentionally as the tribes or region under non-Naga people's nomenclature or non-Naga region's domination," the Naga organisations in Myanmar asked the Government of Myanmar.