Guwahati: Warning that neglect of Naga civilians in vulnerable Indo-Myanmar border areas could drive them to seek help from neighbouring countries, including China, a Tangkhul Naga student and civil-society group in Manipur on Tuesday demanded urgent action from the Centre and the state govt to ensure their security.“We are extremely tired at this juncture,” Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL), also known as Southern Tangkhul Students’ Union, president Yarchuiso Kashung said in Imphal.“If the Manipur govt and the govt of India are unwilling or unable to protect indigenous citizens, particularly those living in vulnerable border areas, people would have no option but to seek help from neighbouring countries such as China.”Kashung called for immediate action to protect Naga civilians and said, “If the chief minister is unable to protect the state and its people, he should voluntarily resign.”Expressing a sense of alienation among residents of border areas, he said, “When the Manipur state government doesn’t care, and the Central govt doesn’t care, then we, the people living in the border areas, feel like we are not part of Manipur, and not part of the central govt, not part of India.”Kashung cited recent killings of Naga civilians in Tamenglong, Senapati and Kamjong, including a 17-year-old Liangmei Naga boy, three Mao Naga civilians and four Tangkhul Naga civilians at Pilong in Kamjong, and demanded accountability.The statement comes amid continuing tensions linked to the Naga-Kuki-Zo conflict, which began in February and has claimed nearly 50 lives from both sides. Of these, 22 people — 11 from each side — were killed in the past month alone.
