AIPP condemns the harassment of Neingulo Krome by the Govt of India

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) condemns the harassment of Mr. Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), in Kolkatta airport. He was unlawfully prevented from boarding his flight by claiming that an order has been issued by the government of India prohibiting him to travel to foreign countries.

We are appalled by the decision of the Government of India banning Mr. Krome to travel out of the country without providing any prior information or due process.

Intimidation, threat and harassment of its own citizens and rights defenders is becoming a norm rather then an exception. This is reflective of the current governments’ designs to clamp down on any dissenting voices, which doesn’t agree to their own. We have seen it with Kashmir, Universities, anti-CAA-NRC protesters etc in the present times.

Mr. Krome has served as the Executive Council of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) in the previous term and is a respected and well-known human rights activist in Asia.

These developments are deeply concerning in times when the Naga people are looking forward to the concretization of the ‘Framework Agreement’ signed in 2015. These incidents are an impediment to building of trusts between the negotiating parties and the Naga people.

We urge the Government of India to disclose and inform Mr. Krome of the reasons concerning the action of the immigration officers that led to the denial of his right to travel abroad. Further, his right to travel should be restored with immediate effect.

Yours Sincerely,
Kittisak Rattanakrajangsri
Chairperson of AIPP