DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 29 (MExN): The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) along with several Naga frontal organisations organised an intensive two-day consultation in the backdrop of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 27-28 October. The gathering reaffirmed the stand taken by the Nagas in 1993 on the occasion of the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. “We have been part of the painful struggle of the indigenous peoples and the declaration is indeed a victory for the indigenous peoples across the globe. We thank all those who have contributed selflessly in crafting the declaration”, informed a press note issued by Phamhring Sengul Convenor, NPMHR (South). As enshrined in the declaration, the Naga bodies identified the most crucial issues that are confronting the Nagas today.
The gathering took serious note of the anti-people development projects such as mega dams and other packages that are in the pipeline as part of the ‘look east policy’.
On the Look East Policy, it pointed out that this was only part of GoI’s game-plan compromising its democratic stand on the issue of restoration of democracy in Myanmar/Burma as well as to use it as a tool to suppress the democratic aspirations of the peoples of the North-east. Secondly, such policies have serious repercussions on environment and economic sustainability of the region, the press note stated.
The consultation also took serious note of the problem of land alienation and loss of resources, and other issues such as Joint Forest Management (JFM) and the new proposed definition of forest that is against the principle of free, prior and informed consent of the concerned people. Hence, the consultation has mooted to form a committee on development alternatives to look into these issues at the earliest possible date.
The NPMHR South reiterated its firm position to support the Affiliation of School to NBSE, which is the aspiration of the people to decide their own future. It further shared the same perspective with the ANSAM, which is for a “Common syllabus for unified vision”.
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