One of the houses in which the refugees have been taking shelter in Noklak district. (Photo Courtesy: Sangkhoi)
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Ketholeno Neihu
Kohima | August 27
Over a year and a half since the military coup toppled the democratic government in Myanmar in February 2021, at least 165 refugees who crossed the border into Nagaland continue to take shelter in the border district of Noklak.
Myriad challenges compounded by trauma and the worry for other family members who have remained in Myanmar keep them hoping against hope as they lean on Noklak for survival.
Sangkhoi (full name withheld), a refugee taking shelter in Noklak communicates in Nagamese. As he discreetly narrates the reason for their coming and why they have stayed on, Sangkhoi spells out their gratitude to the locals. “Moi khan tu NGOs karne nahoile, kiniga hobo,” (What would have become of us without the NGOs).
The Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), KBCA, Village Councils, churches, as he lists a few, have been providing rations and provisions to the refugees till now. Apart from that he points out that Impulse NGO Network has been assisting in the last 6 months.
Sangkhoi who fled from one of the Naga Self Administered Zones in Myanmar with his family members describes his affiliation with the National League for Democracy (NLD) as a ‘right-hand’ of his local MLA in Myanmar. “Along with our MLAs, we came here. Some of us have stayed for over a year, some for 8-9 months,” he informs.
So far, the majority of them here have not engaged in other form of livelihoods or activities. “We don’t do anything much here because of the language barrier. We sit here and listen to the situation in Myanmar,” Sangkhoi says.
The struggle here is however a respite compared to what is happening in their homes, to their families and friends back in Myanmar.
He says that they are more worried about the party supporters stuck in Myanmar or are in hiding; “Elected members, party leaders, or those who took active part in the protests are always on the lookout by the army.”
Curfews on internet connectivity and limited news have restricted their communication with those back in Myanmar. In order to get an updates on the wellbeing of their people, they have to make expensive international calls that Sangkhoi refers to as “main balance.”
Among the refugees are also many children whose futures remain vulnerable. The Deputy Commissioner of Noklak District Hiazu Meru earlier informed The Morung Express that the kids are attending schools.
According to a parent whose children are aged between 3-16 years, some have discontinued school. The elders perceive that although schooling here is helpful for their children, the documents they bring from Myanmar would not be formally recognized and vice versa. For that reason, some have discontinued going to schools.
In a bid to receive assistance and help for the refugees from the state government, the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) had also written to the district administration in October last year.
In the letter which included a list of refugees, the KTC stated that “the people of Khiamniungan live under the banner of the KTC as undivided Khiamnuingan under India and Myanmar, irrespective of the imaginary boundary drawn between the two nations.” The KTC with all its units, churches, NGOs, “are duty bound to extend all possible help and shelter, on humanitarian ground, to the Khiamniungan citizens in particular and Nagas in general, crossing over to the Khiamniungan land on the Indian side.”
The letter also stated that the KTC and its units have been providing services and assistance since April last year.
The district administration had, in this regard, acknowledged the letter.
As per the DC, the district administration has maintained a record of the number of persons from Myanmar staying in Noklak district. At present, there are 165 of them in the district.
While no aid has been provided from the state government or administration so far, Meru stated that the bulk of the assistance is being made by the Khiamniungan people and an NGO has also intervened in this regard.
Meanwhile, amid the lack of employment or livelihood, access to proper health services and education, and lack of identity cards, a sense of yearning and uncertainty continues to linger, as they wonder if they can ever go back to their homes and live under democratic governance.
