Global Naga Forum (GNF) has appealed to the state government to give humanitarian aid to the Myanmar refugees (among whom are Nagas) fleeing the military junta and were in desperate need of food, shelter, and safety.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister of Nagaland, the GNF asserted that it has been following the flow and the plight of refugees at the Myanmar/Northeast border.
The forum said Myanmar citizens, who participated in the civil disobedience movement, were being forced to flee their country as they face a minimum of ten years imprisonment or the death penalty. “Among those wanted for such cruel and inhuman punishment are Nagas, including elected Naga members of parliament, who are forced to hide in the jungles,” GNF stated.
According to GNF, not to come to their aid would be “simply unconscionable” on the part of any government on the Indo-Myanmar border. “The inaction of the Indian government in this case is painful and inhumane,” GNF added.
The forum has, however, welcomed the decision of the Mizoram government to provide temporary shelter to the refugees at its border. “This is what self-respecting, responsible governments do in civilized societies of the world,” GNF stated.
The forum has, therefore, appealed to the government to facilitate the safety of refugees from Myanmar at state’s border by providing temporary refuge on humanitarian grounds.