DIMAPUR, SEP 19 (NPN): Several student organizations have condemned the alleged obstruction of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) delegation by Assam Rifles personnel at Avangkhu Check-gate under Meluri district on the morning of September 19, while the delegation was proceeding to meet Naga communities in Myanmar.
According to reports, NSF delegation led by its president, Mteisuding, was reportedly stopped by Assam Rifles personnel at the Avangkhu check gate in Meluri district on Saturday while travelling to Myanmar.
ASU: In a statement, ASU president Diezevisie Nakhro and vice president Zhovito Rikha said the delegation was stopped despite having submitted references for the proposed trip.
The union questioned the Government of India over whether such an action was endorsed against the rights of Naga people living across the international boundary, particularly in view of the government’s acknowledgement of the “unique history of the Nagas”. ASU criticised the Assam Rifles’ description of itself as “Friends of the hill people”, alleging that its actions had instead caused harm to the hill people.
The union also questioned whether the alleged restriction on the NSF delegation’s movement was consistent with the rights and aspirations of the Naga people.
ASU said the alleged action could not be overshadowed by publicity programmes, distribution of materials or other welfare activities, alleging that the Assam Rifles had committed atrocities against Nagas over the decades.
The union vehemently condemned the alleged obstruction and expressed solidarity with the NSF.
It also called upon Naga citizens to remain prepared for any call to assert their rights and aspirations.
SKK: All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) also condemned the reported action of Assam Rifles personnel at Avangkhu Checkgate, despite the delegation having made available references for the visit.
In a press note, SKK president Hipito Achumi and general secretary P. Samuel Chophy said NSF represented the collective voice, dignity and aspirations of the Naga student community and termed the reported obstruction of its movement an affront to the Naga people and an assault on their democratic space.
The union also criticised what it described as the gap between public claims of being “friends of the hill people” and actions that, according to it, obstruct legitimate activities of Naga institutions.
SKK said actions that obstruct or intimidate Naga institutions could further deepen mistrust and grievances. It condemned the reported incident and asserted that Naga institutions should not be subjected to what it described as force or intimidation in carrying out legitimate activities.
SKK expressed solidarity with the NSF, saying an action against one Naga institution affected the wider Naga community.
RSU: Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) has condemned the reported restriction imposed by Assam Rifles personnel on a NSF delegation at Avangkhu Checkgate, alleging that the action prevented the delegation from visiting Nagas living in Myanmar.
In a statement, RSU president Wakhanlo Semy and general secretary Alo Tep said it was deeply anguished and outraged over the reported action of Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Avangkhu Checkgate, alleging that the NSF delegation was prevented from proceeding to Myanmar despite possessing proper references and identification.
RSU termed the reported restriction an infringement of the rights of indigenous people and questioned the contradiction between the Assam Rifles’ description of itself as the “Friends of the Hill People” and the reported obstruction of a Naga student organisation seeking to engage with Nagas across the international border.
It alleged that actions carried out in the name of security could contribute to division within Naga society and restrict movement and interaction among communities.
RSU condemned what it described as the “high-handed transgression” and questioned the Government of India’s silence over the incident.
It also urged authorities to respect what it described as the unique history, identity and aspirations of the Naga people, both in principle and practice.
RSU said it stood in solidarity with the NSF and appealed to Naga citizens to remain united and vigilant in safeguarding their collective identity, dignity and aspirations.
AZSU (AMN): All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AZSU- Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) has condemned the incident, stating that proposed visit was intended to promote cultural understanding, strengthen people-to-people relations and foster the historical and social bonds shared by Naga communities on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar border.
AZSU president Haiheube Kuame and general secretary Liangkiudinbo Marenmai said the NSF delegation reportedly carried reference letters relating to the visit but was not permitted to proceed.
AZSU said it viewed the incident with concern, particularly as the proposed visit was centred on cultural interaction and strengthening ties among Naga communities.
While acknowledging the security responsibilities and sensitivities associated with the international border, the union said any restriction on a peaceful cultural exchange involving student representatives deserved a clear explanation and due consideration.
It questioned whether such restrictions were consistent with the spirit of people-to-people contact, cultural understanding and the longstanding social and historical relationship among Naga communities residing on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar boundary.
AZSU expressed solidarity with the NSF and called upon the concerned authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that legitimate cultural and social engagements were facilitated through appropriate procedures.
The union said cultural exchange served as a bridge connecting communities, preserving shared heritage and strengthening mutual understanding. It urged the authorities to approach such matters with sensitivity, transparency and respect for the cultural aspirations and peaceful engagements of the Naga people.
AZSU reiterated its condemnation of the reported incident and expressed support for the NSF in upholding the spirit of Naga unity, cultural identity and people-to-people relations.
PSU: Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) has also condemned September 19 incident involving the 39th Assam Rifles stationed at Avakhung.
In a statement, PSU president Rongley Leyri and general secretary Tsiarhotho Thsangkhure said the incident had occurred within Pochury jurisdiction, at a location that was not merely a security installation but also an established point of public, commercial and people-to-people interaction.
The union said the alleged denial of passage to the NSF delegation was not merely an obstruction against the Nagas but a matter concerning the dignity and sentiments of the Naga people as a whole.
As the delegation had submitted the necessary references for its proposed cultural engagement, PSU sought clarity on the grounds on which it was stopped, what specific security concern or violation had been established, and what evidence, if any, indicated that the delegation intended to undertake unlawful activity.
It also questioned under what law, order or written directive the Assam Rifles was authorised to prevent the delegation from proceeding.
PSU said security considerations could not become a blanket justification for arbitrary restrictions. If the authorities had credible information indicating an unlawful intention, it said the same should be established through lawful procedure.
In the absence of any publicly stated explanation or evidence, the union said the stopping of a recognised Naga civil society delegation raised questions regarding transparency, proportionality and accountability.
“How can a legitimate cultural and people-to-people engagement be treated as a security threat without the concerned authorities publicly establishing the basis for such a restriction?” it asked.
PSU maintained that recognised civil society and student organisations should be allowed to discharge their legitimate social, cultural and humanitarian responsibilities without arbitrary impediments in the absence of demonstrable grounds.
It emphasised that any restriction imposed on civilian movement should be lawful, necessary and proportionate to a clearly identifiable security concern and should not rest solely on an undefined invocation of security considerations.
The union demanded that the Assam Rifles place on record a clear, written and legally tenable explanation for the denial of passage rather than allowing the matter to remain surrounded by ambiguity and speculation.
PSU also called upon the Assam Rifles and the Government of India to respond to the Naga people directly and transparently.
“Silence cannot be allowed to substitute for accountability,” it said, adding that if there was a lawful and substantiated reason to stop the NSF delegation, it should be placed before the public.
It further said that if no such lawful basis existed, the authorities should acknowledge the wrong and ensure that such restrictions were not repeated.
PSU said the dignity of the Naga people, the legitimacy of peaceful people-to-people engagement and the rule of law should not be treated as matters of convenience at a security checkpoint.