It was sadly reported that the Khiamnungan Tribal Council members from Noklak of Nagaland, India led by its Executive Chairman L. Ngon, Thangsoi (General Secretary: KTC), Puchai P. M (Executive Secretary: KTC), L. Hangthing, (Joint Secretary: KTC) came to Mëkheotjüv area, Myanmar on the month of October 2011 and took the village elders and leaders of the Mëkheotjüv area, namely T. Yongptumiu (Head GB, Mëkheotjüv village), Yongpithong (Head GB, Tipizüvnüng village) and Jüvseleng (Head GB, Mëtsongvong village), in coercion to Thsoiphu village, a nearby Khiamnungan village. On 14 October 2011 in Thsoiphu village surrounded by the VGs in arms KTC leaders ordered the above mentioned village elders and area leaders to renounce their identity (Makury) and their territory as of Khiamnugan. Baselessly, the KTC leaders said that Ro Tsang Jüv the present Governor of Naga Self-Administered Zone, U Hla Tun, DC of Khamti Disctrict, Myanmar also renounced their identity to be Khiamnungan. Further they mentioned that even T. Torechu, Parliamentary Secy. CAWD, Nagaland had agreed that Mt. Saramati and its surrounding villages and people belong to Khiamnungan. By making such statements and order the innocent folks are threatened to agree their premature proposal and sign it. Further, we are told that even the village name Mëkheotjüv was changed and renamed as Thsangnok without the consent of the Naga Cultural Central Committee (Eastern Naga Hoho), Khamti, Makury Naga Cultural Committee (Makury Naga Hoho), Layshi in particular and the public in general. It is very sad to learn that the KTC leaders never took any official permission in word or in letter from any parental organizations of the Nagas in Myanmar for such matter and carried out intransigently. Though it is Nagaland regardless of international boundary line between the East and the West, it is not appropriate to do such activity without getting permission from official bodies and organizations. Is it possible and appropriate to change the name of a village just in a day without any public consent? Is it possible and appropriate to let renounce one’s identity by force and threat? It is a deliberate human rights violation and destroying one’s identity which is equivalent to genocide. It is a serious crime! We the Naga Human Rights Watch (Myanmar) and the public are much disturbed and sorry for such premature deeds and violating the Rights of the innocent Nagas in Myanmar. We the Nagas in Myanmar have been going through untold sufferings with all forms of violation and exploitation under the boots of the Burmese junta and we in fact do not expect our brethren from the Western Nagaland to do such things on your own brethren in Myanmar. It is a well known fact that the Mëkheotjüv area is belonging to Makury community that falls under the jurisdiction of Lahe Township, Naga Self-Administered Zone, Myanmar. Moreover, Upper Chindwin Deputy Commissioner Grand Brown also made mention of this area as of the Makware (Makury) and there was no such as of Khiamnungan in the history (c.f. Brown: 1910). To mention more, this community had been recognized as a Naga Tribe in Myanmar right from the time of the British Rule in Myanmar (Burma). Thus far, the Nagas in Myanmar did not experience such thing from our brethren from the Western Nagaland but only recently! We also remind that for further confusion and misunderstanding KTC will be held solely responsible for this issue and we will not let this happen again in the near future. We are committed to protect and safeguard the innocent lives of the Naga people Myanmar with the help of internal and external support-organizations. We the Nagas in Myanmar are also committed for the reconciliation and national unity of all the Nagas from all over Naga inhabited area. But we feel that such actions and violations can hinder our path and germinate further hatred and conflict among our brethren instead of reaching our aimed goal. It is to be taken seriously that it is going to affect our peaceful co-existence as neighbors. When all the Naga leaders and organizations are moving toward reconciliation in full speed, such actions are destructive and contradictory to the aims and objectives of our Naga leaders and the public. We, therefore, request and urge KTC in particular and the Naga public in general to avoid such violation and exploitation on the innocent people in the future. As we the Naga Human Rights Watch (Myanmar) are trying our best to safeguard and protect the innocent lives of the Nagas in Myanmar from the hands of the Burmese junta, we also urge you all to join us helping and mending the broken lives of the Eastern Nagas instead of worsening our deprived situation. Thank you.
Naga Human Rights Watch
(Myanmar)
Thai-Base, Thailand
