DIMAPUR, APRIL 12 (MExN): The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has written to the Nagaland Governor to clarify on allegations in two letters submitted by the Angami Public Organisation (APO) and the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) addressed to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland.
The letter, appended by NMA President, Abei-ü-Mere and General Secretary, Lochumbeni Humtsoe, informed that the NMA held an Executive Council meeting at the NMA Cradle Ridge on April 11.
It made clear that the NMA, founded in 1984, exists till date working for peace, women’s issues and various other social issues. It noted that the NMA started with individual membership and later expanded to include tribe women representatives into the organisation. Till date, it said that NMA membership is open to individual women and tribe women organisations.
The NMA said that when the State Government passed the Nagaland Municipal First Amendment Act 2006, Naga women came together to ensure the inclusion of women by forming the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) which included the Eastern Naga Women Organisation (ENWO), Watsü Mungdang, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD), Tenyimi Women Organisation (TWO) and tribe units of Naga Mothers’ Association.
On May 31, 2011, it pointed out that the JACWR submitted a memorandum and met the then Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio seeking that the government implement the Municipal Act and hold the election with 33% Women Reservation. “At the meeting, the Chief Minister advised the Naga women delegation to go to the court, and if they brought an order he would be able to implement it as the tribe Hohos were against holding the Municipal elections,” the NMA informed.
It stated that on January 26, 2017, the JACWR, in its meeting with the then Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, the NMA agreed to withdraw as petitioners provided the government give a written assurance that election will be held as scheduled. Accordingly, on receiving the written assurance, the two NMA petitioners from the JACWR withdrew from the case in Delhi on January 29, 2017.
The NMA said that it has no connection with the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) which is India’s largest Human Rights Organisation and who are the petitioners after the withdrawal of the NMA.
It further informed that during the riots of February 2017, tribe units of Angami Women Organisation (AWO), Chakhesang Mothers Association (CMA), Sumi Totimi Hoho (STH), and Lotha Eloi Hoho (LEH) “were forced to disassociate from NMA.” However, it asserted that the NMA continues till date with the tribe units of Rengma Mothers Association (RMA), Pochury Mothers Association (PMA), Kuki Nute Kiloikhom Nagaland (KNKN) and Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation (ZMO) along with individuals from various tribes.
It clarified that the NMA has “no written record of tinkering and experimenting with the customary laws and traditions of our people.” “As women and mothers, we have great respect for the rich culture and traditions of Nagas and welcome any public policy that empowers women and protect women’s rights which are for the good of everyone in Naga society,” the NMA said.
Further, it made clear that as women of the state of Nagaland, women organisations, including the Naga Mothers’ Association, has the freedom to deliberate and organise meetings and seminars on public policies that “affects us all.”
It said that the records and activities of the Naga Mothers’ Association, since its inception till date, “will stand testimony to the fact that we have contributed much to bring in peace, social order and promoting women’s rights as Human Rights.” It hoped that this representation will clarify the “baseless aspersions cast on the existence of the NMA” and deter any more “defamatory exchanges” to the state government.
