CNI News

14 May 2024

The arrest of Naga young people by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) destroyed their future sort of, said Naga youths. The KIA was arresting Naga youths on the Shin Bwe Yang and Tanai routes and it was difficult to travel, a Naga youth told CNI News.

"If you look at many KIA soldiers who were sent to the front lines, their faces are Naga, but their names are Kachin ones. There were many Naga youths in Tanai, Shin Bwe Yang, Nanyun, Pansaung and Donhee. Where have they been now? Why is the KIA arresting so many Naga youths. We are finding it so difficult. Naga youths want to go to Myitkyina for their education, but they don't dare. We are facing various crises including job." he said.

While seeing the KIA force

The KIA arrested Naga youths to recruit in some villages, Shin Bwe Yang Township in the second week of April after which many Naga youths had to run away. However, he hadn't heard that the KIA was arresting Naga youths to recruit and he had no comment, Colonel Nawbu, information officer of the KIA told CNI News.

" I haven't heard of that. They might take place at the front line. May be I didn't heard. I don't mean it's not right. I have no comment about it." he said. It was reported that the KIA would arrest 3,000 people and he was not sure Naga youths or Kachin and other clans would be arrest, said a Naga youth.

While seeing some youths attending the KIA's military training

" After they (the KIA) have recruited Naga youths, are the Naga youths asked to dominate the Naga region or is the KIA to rule Nanyun and Pansaung unjustly? Because there was no specific territorial demarcation between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and the KIA, Kachin State is Naga region and vice versa. They are not clear. They didn't explain clearly why the arrests are being conducted. There aren't any reporters in the, Naga region. So, I wonder they are doing what they want to." he said.

500 to 700 Naga youths were arrested in 2023 and some of them were released. The KIA is arresting the youths to recruit in Shin Bwe Yang, Nanyun, Pansaung, Lahe, Donhee as well as in Nan Si Pon region, Khamti Township, Sagaing Region reportedly.