NSCN/GPRN President Yung Aung has today rejected Myanmar’s military government’s mandatory conscription law, stating that “Nagas need not comply with this law” as it is a violation of the unique political and historical right.

The Myanmar military junta had in February 2024 rolled out the compulsory conscription for men aged 18–35 and women aged 18–27. The law stated that those who evade the recruitment would face penalties in the form of heavy fines or imprisonment for three to five years.

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In an “Emergency National Information” addressed to All the Eastern Nagas, Naga Cultural and Literature Committee (Central) Naga Tribal Councils, Churches, Civil Societies, Students, Village Council and General Naga Public, Yung Aung urged all Nagas to reject the same and called upon “every forcibly conscripted Naga to report immediately to our nearest authority if such cases arise.”

Stating that the NSCN/GPRN has “maintained a clean and clear non-interference policy with regard to the present Myanmar conflict” however, this “This forced conscription on the Naga is illegal and will amount to forcing the Nagas to involve in the Myanmar conflict and serve as human shield which is unacceptable”.

“Such law by a Colonial ruler has absolutely no legal effect on the Naga because we have sacrificed much for full sovereignty and the movement is still on,” he added.