Aung San Suu Kyi in a Naga costume
Thannganing Hungyo & Peter Chachei
December 27
DIMAPUR (MExN): The reign of the military junta in Myanmar does not seem to augur well for the Nagas across the border. The economic breakdown as conceived by organizations working for the heralding of democracy in the country has left thousands of Nagas in appalling conditions.
Speaking to The Morung Express, Sosa, President of the Naga National League for Democracy (Burma) revealed that they were successful in delivering a ‘letter’ to Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s icon for democracy. She had also dispatched a photograph where she is seen wearing a Naga ‘mechla’ and shawl.
Using this picture, the NNLD whose motto is ‘peace, democracy and equality’ has come out with a calendar in order to raise funds for their activities, which revolves around the attempt of harbouring in of democracy, and for the welfare of Nagas in Myanmar.
The calendars are out for sale in Nagaland too.
Sosa is from Leshi, a township in Myanmar. He disclosed that a ‘settlement’ for Nagas in Myanmar would take a relatively longer time as the issue is an international one. He also stressed on the need for unity among the Nagas.
The military government in Myanmar has been alleged of carrying out illegal activities by various bodies throughout the world.
These include drug trafficking, human rights violation, corruption, forced recruitment of minors, forced labour, religious exploitation and conversion to Buddhism, planting of landmines in public places, black money laundering, banning of the mass media and exploitation against ethnic groups.
The NNLD has put the number of Myanmarese Naga refugees in Nagaland and Manipur at 7411.
The organization has to carry out activities inside Myanmar discreetly and with caution for fear of reprisal. The organization is also devoid of an office for want of funds.
Human rights violations towards the Nagas of Burma by the military government of Burma as according to the NNLD -
• Religious exploitation
• Banning of the Naga cultural heritages
• Imprisonment of all political leaders without trial
• Policy of cultural assimilation
• Non-existence of educational institution and medical department in Naga inhabited areas
