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Further attention to the Naga situation in Burma is likely as a result of the affiliation of the Eastern Naga Students Association (Burma) by the Naga Students Federation, the most powerful central Naga student body.

For now, however, the thrust of the Naga sovereignty struggle is concentrated chiefly on the ongoing political talks with the Indian government.

Said a senior military strategist of the NSCN: “Once the western frontier comes to an understanding, the energy of the Naga struggle can be redirected towards the Burmese front.” The close relationship that has developed recently between Burma and India, especially in trade and military matters, is a major calculation in the Naga approach to developments.

It is to be hoped that the consistency of the Naga struggle and their logistical links with many “military groups” in India and Burma has induced New Delhi to re-think its northeastern boundaries. Certainly, for those Naga soldiers in the jungle, it has been a long struggle.

Kekhrie Yhome works with the Policy Initiatives Division of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights in Nagaland.