Naga youths forcibly recruited into KIA: NSO
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, June 27 2024: Naga Students' Organisation (NSO) in Lahe, Sagaing Region of Myanmar, in.

an emergency meeting held on June 22 at Naga Cultural Hall raised strong objection against the forced recruitment of youth by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and heavy taxation by multiple factions.

In a statement.

NSO highlighted the dire situation in the Naga Hills, worsened by Myanmar's ongoing civil war.

The conflict has devastated the region's economy, disrupted food supplies, and severed crucial transportation routes, leaving the Naga community in extreme vulnerability.

For over a year, blockades by different PDFs and underground groups have isolated the Naga Hills from urban centres, deepening economic distress.

Natural disasters have further compounded these challenges, destroying homes, bridges, roads, farms, and hydroelectric sites, leaving the region's infrastructure in ruins.

Over a hundred schools in the Naga Hills are non-functional due to a lack of teachers, jeopardising the future of children and youth.

The situation has been further aggravated by the actions of Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Since February 2023, KIA has been randomly kidnapping, hijacking, and rounding up Naga youth traveling to Kachin state for schooling, work, medical care, and business.

These youth, often taken from gold and jade mines or directly from Naga villages in Kachin state, are forcibly recruited into KIA.

The number of Naga youth forcibly recruited is estimated to exceed 30, with many feared killed or missing in the conflict.

In response to these severe challenges, NSO convened an emergency meeting on June 22 and adopted several resolutions aimed at addressing the plight of the Naga community.

The meeting condemned the heavy taxation, ransom demands, and harassment inflicted on innocent villagers by multiple factions.

These actions are intolerable and fundamentally unjust, perpetuating a climate of fear and oppression.

NSO insists that such actions must be brought before the community for justice.

Enduring the oppression of the Indian army and the military junta is already difficult; additional suffering inflicted by the people, who claim to fight for the Naga cause, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

NSO emphasised that assistance to any Naga national workers or groups must be voluntary.

Compulsory support through intimidation or coercion undermines unity and mutual respect.

Demands for cash, domestic animals, or other resources beyond the agreed-upon yearly house tax and indent rations will not be entertained.

It also resolved for Naga public leaders to arrange a meeting with NSCN/GPRN authorities to ensure effective governance and protect the rights of the people.

Despite the negative outcome of a recent meeting with KIA representatives at Takhet Naga Village, NSO will continue to seek peaceful dialogue.

NSO, Naga Literature Traditional and Cultural Committee Central, and Naga Baptist Convention will send a memorandum to KIA, demanding an end to the random arrests and forced recruitment of Naga youth.

If these appeals are ignored, the NSO will not remain silent.

The meeting also urged tribal leaders to recall Naga youth working in unsafe areas in Kachin state and prohibit further travel until a positive response is received from KIA authorities.

NSO emphasised that fighting for democratic aspirations through coercion and at gunpoint is counterproductive and defeats the purpose of the struggle.

Exploiting the vulnerabilities of Naga people, among the weakest nationalities in Myanmar, is unjust and morally reprehensible.

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