"Immigrants outnumber local residents at Maring villages too"
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 22 2024:
After Kamjong, illegal immigrants from Myanmar have outnum-bered local residents at several Maring villages of Tengnoupal and Moreh sub-division.
The Maring Students' Union (MSU), while expressing heartfelt sympathy towards the plight of Myanmar Nationals, has asserted that the massive inflow of these individuals following the military coup in 2021 and subsequent political upheaval in Myanmar has created unbearable hardships and insecurity for the native residents.
The Myanmar Nationals being sheltered in the six Maring Naga villages (Sai-bol, Moirengthel, Chanring- phai, Lamlong Khunou, Choktong and Satang), numbering about 1,428 (only those whose biometrics have been captured), have outnumbered the local residents, which is of great concern, MSU said.
Monitoring their activities has become a significant challenge as the concerned authorities cannot regularly conduct verification exercises amidst the fluctuating number of inmates, the Maring student body added.
The local people are appalled by the massive militarization in the Maring area and the belligerent attitude of the Indian armed forces operating there, the MSU said.
The halting of business commuters by Assam Rifles stationed at Sita presents a significant challenge to their right to live with dignity and economic well-being.
This interruption not only hampers their ability to earn a livelihood but also imposes undue stress and uncertainty on their daily lives, the student body also said.
The Assam Rifles' rigorous and intrusive checks on local roads, coupled with their negligence in securing the borders undermine the purpose of their presence, it alleged.
Ensuring the smooth passage of commuters is essential to uphold their fundamental rights and foster a stable economic environment.
The attitude of the Indian military personnel is highly questionable, it further added.
The MSU also demanded an end to intimidation of village leaders and dissemi- nation of misleading reports, particularly those unjustly targeting the Rilram Area Maring Organisation (RAMO) .
The MSU has also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the non-cooperation movement declared by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), denouncing any form of cooperation with the Indian armed forces.
While paying "deepest" homage to the victims, the student body recalled the historical incidents of brutality, including the infamous Operation Bluebird of 1987 at Oinam and surrounding villages, the brutal assault and murder of Eli Rose of Ngaprum village, and the tragic Oting incident of December 2021 .
The implementation and recent extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958) on April 1, 2024, for another six months have exacerbated these issues, fostering a culture of impunity and leading to numerous human rights violations, the Maring student body said.
It then appealed to the Government of India to repeal AFSPA.
It also appealed to the international community to support "our quest for peace, justice, and human dignity.