DIMAPUR, AUGUST 8 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Organization (NSO) has voiced “deep concern and disappointment” over alleged abductions of Naga youths by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allied group, the Eastern Naga Defense Army (ENDA), even as it acknowledged the recent safe release of 13 Naga Army personnel by the KIA as a constructive gesture.
In a press communiqué, the NSO said that while it “extends its sincere appreciation to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) for the safe and unharmed release of 13 Naga Army personnel on the 28th of July 2025 at Tekti,” it remains alarmed by reports of fresh incidents involving the same armed group. The personnel had been apprehended on July 18 at the Naga Chanra Gate, northwest of the Tanai River, and their release was “recognized as a constructive gesture towards mutual understanding and de-escalation.”
The organisation, however, said that since July 27, credible reports from the ground had confirmed that the KIA, “in coordination with its allied group, the Eastern Naga Defense Army (ENDA), has forcibly abducted several Naga youths in Shin Bway Yang Township.”
“The number of abductees is feared to exceed thirty, with many of the individuals reportedly taken while on their way to farms, workplaces, and paddy fields,” it said. The NSO stated that this had “fostered a climate of fear and anxiety among the civilian population of Shin Bway Yang” and that “many residents are now unable to engage in their routine agricultural activities, fearing further abductions.”
According to the NSO, these acts of intimidation and forced conscription “run counter to the principles of revolutionary ethics” and “rather than reflecting the discipline and ideals of a legitimate revolutionary movement, such behavior resembles that of rogue elements and authoritarian oppressors.”
“A true revolutionary struggle is never defined by coercion, fear, or forced loyalty. It is rooted in the will of the people, guided by patriotism, honesty, and moral integrity. Respect and legitimacy cannot be imposed—they must be earned through sincere service to the people,” it stated.
The NSO said it “unequivocally rejects the recent press release issued by the ENNO/ENDA on the 1st of August 2025, which attempted to justify the aforementioned abductions,” describing the claims as “not only baseless but [which] serve merely to obscure the accountability of their patron, the KIA.” It added that “first-hand testimonies from local communities clearly establish the involvement of both the KIA and the ENDA in these actions.”
Addressing the ENDA directly, the communiqué stated, “If your cause truly lies with the rights and aspirations of the Naga people, then return to your homeland. Live among your people. Earn their trust, respect, and support through humility, service, and accountability. The path of coercion, deceit, and violation of human dignity will never secure the honor of the Naga nation. It will only bring condemnation and isolation.”
The NSO reiterated its “urgent appeal to the KIA and its allied ENDA to immediately cease all acts of abduction and intimidation targeting Naga youths to be conscripted” and called on all concerned leadership to “exercise wisdom and foresight,” warning that “escalating hostilities across multiple fronts will only create more enemies and deepen existing divisions.”
It urged the KIA and all relevant stakeholders to “pursue genuine, open, and principled dialogue as the most constructive avenue for resolving any grievances or disagreements between Nagaland and Kachinland,” adding that “true and lasting strength is not found in military force but in empathy, understanding, and diplomacy.”
The NSO also appealed to all NSCN-GPRN entities to “maintain composure, restraint, and patience despite provocation,” stating that “any retaliatory military engagement from either sides would only increase the suffering of both the Naga and Kachin people—the two communities historically connected through shared hardships and aspirations for decades.”
While thanking the KIA for releasing the 13 personnel, the NSO also urged it to “ensure the unconditional return of the arms and equipment that were confiscated during the incident,” stating that “such an act would further contribute to rebuilding trust and good faith between our people.”
“At this critical juncture, we believe that the Naga people remain committed to extending the hand of peace and cooperation. We reaffirm our dedication to fostering unity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among all ethnic nationalities striving for self-determination and justice,” it added.
