Morung Express News
Kohima | July 6
In a press conference held on July 6 at de Oriental Grande here, social activist Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü and Human Rights lawyer, Zheviholi Swu, informed that eight (8) Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed on issues pertaining to reproductive health, and the Government of Nagaland’s failure to provide basic health services in the State from Community Health Centres to District Hospitals in Dimapur, Tuensang, Wokha and Kiphire.
Filed by Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) petitioners Joe Dzüvichü and Rosemary Dzüvichü, the PILs are mostly on maternity deaths, infant mortality and dysfunctional Anganwadi centres.
It may also be reminded that 20 PILs were filed last year by HRLN’s Nagaland Chapter on the same issues. “The unfortunate part of the Government (Department of Health and Family Welfare) is that they have not been able to respond,” said Dr. Dzüvichü.
The issue of not registering deaths and births in Nagaland has also made it difficult to get more information, added the social activist.
Reminding again of the Naga Mother’s Association’s high level inquiry into the alleged Rs. 62 Crore scam of Nagaland’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the social activist mentioned that a Supreme Court order has made the Central government and the CBI respondents to the case.
Other cases
During the press conference, Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü also stressed on the alleged fake certificate row of MP Neiphiu Rio where she expressed discontentment on the case being politicized. “I am happily an academician. This definitely is a case to do with academics,” she stated. Although academic qualification is not a criterion for politicians, she argued that holding a fake certificate by top politicians was a serious issue which needs to be dealt with.
Asserting that the case is not politically motivated, she also pointed out the many fake certificates cases in Nagaland. “These are things that are not done. It is literally holding the academic in ransom,” said Dr. Dzüvichü, while questioning the principles and ethics of the faculty in Kohima College over the controversial issue.
Discussions were also held on the 33 percent reservation issue. “We are ready for a contempt petition. When it comes to women’s rights, it is a long legal battle,” said Dr. Dzüvichü, adding that reservations like these are nothing new, citing the examples of Tripura which has 50 percent women reservation while states like Manipur and Assam have success stories on reservations for women.
