‘Imposed law a violation of our unique political and historical right’
DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): The Yung Aung led NSCN (K) has issued an ‘Emergency National Information’ over the declaration of conscription law by the Myanmar government in all of Myanmar, which, according to the group, also include the Naga Self-Administered Zone.
On February 10, 2024, the Myanmar government announced the enforcement of a conscription law, which mandates compulsory military service for all young men and women, as it struggle to contain the widespread armed opposition to its rule.
According to the law, all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 must serve for up to two years, while specialists like doctors aged up to 45 must serve for three years under the military command. The service can be extended to a total of five years in the ongoing state of emergency, according to the law.
In an information letter addressed to all Eastern Nagas, Naga cultural and literature committee (central), Naga tribes councils, churches, civil societies, students, village council and the general Naga public, the Yung Aung led NSCN (K) on March 21 highlighted the ‘serious issue’ which has emerged out from the on-going Myanmar political crisis and the need to deal immediately with full initiative from all Nagas.
The Yung Aung led NSCN (K) said it had maintained a clean and clear non-interference policy with regard to the present Myanmar conflict, due to Naga’s unique political condition. It highlighted that since day one of the conflict, it declared its stand forbidding the newly formed Myanmar People’s Defense Force (PDF) from operating in the Naga area to show that “Myanmar had neither political legitimacy nor territorial control over the Naga country.”
Similarly, it also strongly cautioned the Military government to refrain from diluting Naga areas with the present Myanmar conflict. This has to reflect our crystal-clear impartial stand as well to maintain the peaceful status quo of the Naga areas, the Yung Yung led NSCN (K) stated.
“Despite the genuine stand of the Naga people and the NSCN/GPRN, the recent declaration of the Myanmar government to enforce the mandatory conscription law in the Naga areas has sent a wrong message. Such a law by the Colonial ruler has absolutely no legal effect on the Nagas because we have sacrificed much for full sovereignty and the movement is still on,” it maintained.
Calling upon all Nagas to reject this imposed law as a violation of our unique political and historical right, the Yung Aung led NSCN (K) termed this forced conscription on the Nagas as illegal and unacceptable and amount to forcing the Nagas to involve in the Myanmar conflict and serve as human shield.
“Nagas need not comply with this law and we call upon every forcibly conscripted Naga to report immediately to our nearest authority if such cases arise,” it stated. The Yung Aung led NSCN (K) also challenged every Naga to pick up “your national yoke and safeguard your right from the external threat.”
“No outsider will do it for us but us alone. The national security and defense of our country is not the responsibility of the NSCN/GPRN alone, but it is the birthright of every Naga,” it stated.
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