Assam Rifles Details Lack of Border Permit Behind NSF Halt

Kohima, 20 September – In a formal clarification, the Assam Rifles explained that an NSF delegation was prevented from crossing into Myanmar because it failed to produce a valid border pass, not because of any ethnic or cultural reasons. The eight‑person group arrived on the morning of September 19 at the Avangkhui crossing point, requesting permission to travel to Tsera, Myanmar. When officials asked for the requisite travel documents, the delegation could not produce an authorized pass, leading to the refusal of entry. The force highlighted that the incident must be viewed through the lens of border law and procedural compliance, rejecting reports that linked the stoppage to Naga identity or cultural interaction. The agency noted that the free‑movement facility is restricted to recognized villages within a 10‑km radius of the border, and that a civil society reference does not replace an official permit. So far, 16,428 border passes have been issued, underscoring that the system works for those meeting the legal criteria. The Assam Rifles appealed to media houses to verify facts with the relevant authorities before publishing stories on border‑related matters.