Council of Naga Affairs writes to Nagaland Governor for border pass permission for the famine-ridden Naga villagers in Myanmar on humanitarian ground
Dimapur, August 19 (MExN): Famine struck villagers in the eastern Naga areas in Myanmar were denied access to fetch basic food from the Indian side for want of Aadhaar cards.
The Council of Naga Affairs (CNA) has written to the Governor of Nagaland State, PB Acharya, praying for “border pass permission for the famine-ridden villagers on humanitarian ground.”
The letter informed that Chuyo area, Khammoi area and Tamkhu area under Lahe Township and Donhi sub-Township “are struck by famine.” These areas are populated by Konyak, Lainong and Tangshang tribes in the east and over 92 villages inhabit this border area belt.
The CNA explained to the Governor that due to landslides on the connecting road to Lahe, “the famine-ridden villagers are unable to fetch basic commodities from Lahe the administrative town to meet their starvation and basic health needs.”
“The only accessible location where their basic needs such as rice, salt, medicines and basic family requirements can be fetched is Mon Town on the Indian side of Nagaland,” the letter stated.
However, the CNA informed that as per reports, the famine struck villagers were stopped by Assam Rifles personnel and asked to produce Aadhaar cards while on their way to Mon via Lungwa.
It is “not possible to obtain such for the Eastern Nagas,” the CNA maintained, stating the obvious.
Faced with such a situation, the Council of Naga Affairs has sought help and humanitarian assistance—in the form of a border pass permission—for the poor, famine struck villagers, hoping that they would be “allowed on humanitarian ground to access Mon for their basic needs.”
On April 20, the Governor had assured the eastern Nagas that they “will be able to cross the border in times of need,” recalled the CNA letter.
President of CNA, Athong Makury, while reiterating faith in the Governor’s commitment to “development of border areas,” also expressed confidence that “your development plan will yield immense fruits in our remote and neglected region in the east.”
