Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

Guwahati, July 27, 2003: Hundreds of ethnic Naga people living in the
bordering areas of Burma have started fleeing the country following
alleged religious persecution by the military junta. The Naga's are facing
severe threats to their safety and they have sought help from the
international community.

The actions of the Burmese military junta towards the Naga has provoked
sharp reaction from the bordering states of India.

The Naga People's Movement for Human Rights(NPMHR) has condemned the
incident in strong words and demanded the Indian government take up the
matter with their Burmese counterparts. In a press release issued
today, the NPMHR claim that several Naga families living in Burma have been
forced into religious conversion by the monks in remote areas of
Sagaing. "This is a serious problem and hence the Indian government should
handle the matter urgently", the release added.

"Moreover several Churches located in the border areas have been
destroyed by the Junta when they refused to abide by the order", the
released added.

There have been disturbing claims in a separate recent report of an
18-year old Naga girl from Layshi village of Sagaing division having been
raped by a Bhuddhist monk .

Meanwhile several leading Naga organisations based in the bordering
states of India have expressed concern at the attitude of the Burmese
Junta. They said that Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram have been providing
shelter to Burmese people, and if the harassment continues then these
communities might not receive such generous treatment in India.