Assam Rifles Clarifies Incident Involving Naga Students Federation Delegation at Myanmar Border

Kohima, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Assam Rifles has issued a clarification regarding the recent incident in which a delegation from the Naga Students Federation (NSF) was halted from crossing into Myanmar near Awangkhul in Nagaland's Meluri district. According to the Assam Rifles, the delegation was not stopped due to their identity or the purpose of their proposed visit, but rather because they lacked the necessary legal permissions and documentation required for crossing the international border.The Assam Rifles refuted media reports suggesting that the NSF delegation was obstructed while traveling to Myanmar. They stated that the situation should be viewed in the context of border regulations and required documentation, rather than being linked to Naga identity or cultural exchanges. On September 19, around 11:30 AM, eight individuals arrived at the designated border crossing point in three vehicles, expressing their intention to cross into Myanmar's Tsera region.However, when asked for the necessary documents, the delegation was unable to present a valid border pass or authorization issued by the appropriate authorities. Consequently, they were denied permission to cross. The Assam Rifles emphasized that this incident is not about hindering cultural connections but about adhering to the established rules for cross-border movement. They also objected to the portrayal of the event on social media and in some media outlets as a matter concerning Naga identity, insisting that it should not be misrepresented as a broader conflict between the community and security forces.The official statement reiterated that movement across the India-Myanmar border is subject to government policies and conditions. Under the current regulated movement framework, eligibility and documentation requirements are in place for crossing designated border transit points. According to the provisions cited in the statement, the Free Movement Regime applies to eligible villages located within a 10-kilometer radius on both sides of the India-Myanmar border.The NSF delegation had traveled from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, thus, merely proposing a cultural exchange or presenting a reference letter from an organization does not automatically grant them the right to cross the international border. The Assam Rifles clarified that a reference or recommendation letter from a civil organization does not serve as a valid authorization for crossing the international border. They also shared statistics supporting their position, noting that 16,428 border passes have been issued under the relevant arrangements to date.This figure illustrates that the movement of individuals who meet the stipulated conditions and documentary requirements is being facilitated in accordance with the rules. The Assam Rifles urged media organizations to verify facts with relevant authorities before publishing sensitive news related to border issues. The statement concluded by advising that care should be taken when reporting on sensitive topics like international border crossings, ensuring that applicable government policies and regulations are referenced in such news reports.