DIMAPUR, JULY 28 (MExN): The Naga Rising (TNR) today said that Nagaland must guard against unintended consequences of the crisis in Manipur, “as the affected people on either side of the divide try to find safe haven for their livelihood and survival.”
“Competing claims over land and resources are often at the heart of ethnic conflicts around the world. While keeping its doors open for humanitarian relief and assistance, the Nagaland government should, at the same time, draw up a sound and calibrated security policy to prevent any unintended consequences,” a press release from TNR said.
It commended the Nagaland government’s decision to evacuate stranded Nagas and bring them home safely when violence broke out in early May, and recognized the government’s responsibility of extending humanitarian assistance to the displaced people of Manipur.
“However, the manner in which the Nagaland government has been handling the issue is a matter of concern. From all accounts, it appears that the state government has no guidelines or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in dealing with movement of displaced people. Even basic measures such as registration of the displaced people entering Nagaland was not in place, if we go by local media reports,” it stated.
In the absence of registration of displaced people, TNR said that it would not only create difficulty in gauging the nature and magnitude of the humanitarian assistance required but also make it impossible to assess the situation, which could have serious implications for the future.
It questioned the government if there are guidelines/SOPs in dealing with displaced people entering Nagaland from outside the state, and what is the number of displaced people of Manipur taking refuge in Nagaland and where are they currently sheltered. It further expressed concern that the situation in Manipur and Myanmar could pose serious security challenges for Nagaland. The government, it urged, should call for an urgent internal security assessment and put in place a coordinated policy and approach in tackling the after effects of the Manipur crisis.
