Stop Discrimination against the Naga: Nagaland MP

NEW DEHLI — An Indian member of parliament from Nagaland has called for Burma to create an administrative zone for the Naga people of Burma.

MP Khekiho Zhimomi said the Naga in India receive support from the Indian government, unlike the Naga in Burma who are discriminated against and receive little support from the military regime.

The Burmese government shows no concern for the Naga in its borders, he said, noting that the Naga in India are not discriminated against and receive education and other benefits.

"The Burmese government should take care of these people,” he said. “They should create an administrative zone for their development, for their welfare. They shouldn't neglect them."

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland, India, made the same suggestion to U Kyi Thein, the Burmese ambassador  to India, in Delhi in May, he said.

"The Naga people are oppressed by the military regime,” he said. “We have to struggle to promote change and development."

The chairman of the Naga National League for Democracy, U Saw Lin, said the Naga in Burma face discrimination, forced labor and forced relocation.

The Naga in Burma live in a region ranging from northwest of Sagaing Division to northern Chin State. The home of the Naga was divided by the  India-Burma border as drawn by the British government in colonial times.

The Naga in India live in an administrative state called Nagaland.