KOHIMA, July 24 (MExN): The Naga Mothers’ Association on Friday submitted a representation to Nagaland Governor RN Ravi addressing a number of issues and urged the Governor to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Area Act.
In the representation, the NMA reminded the Governor of the “devastating effects and violence suffered by our people, including women and children under the AFSPA,” and placed its resentment and protest against the AFSPA and Disturbed Area Act.
“Peace cannot come through the barrel of guns anymore,” the NMA said while urging for the repeal of the AFSPA and the restoration of respect and the right to live in peace and security for both Indians and Nagas.
The NMA said that it held an executive meeting on July 9 where it resolved to raise its concern on the issues raised by the Governor’s June 16 letter to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, particularly on ‘armed gangs’ and its impact on the ongoing peace process. It urged the Governor, who is also the Centre’s Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga talks to “reflect on mutual respect between the peace talk, interlocutor and the negotiating NPGs, in the spirit of bringing a settlement to the long drawn Naga political issue.”
“We are aware of the intricate responsibility of your role as the Interlocutor and the Governor of the state. However, the Naga political issue must be resolved without denigrating our years of struggle into a problem of law and order,” the NMA said while urging that democratic processes be respected in the spirit of bringing peace to the land.
The NMA also expressed hope that the Governor would use his office to address “issues of rampant corruption within the governance systems,” stating that “unless there is strict accountability and action, the future looks bleak for our generation.”
Further, expressing grief at the killings of the six Naga youth in Arunachal Pradesh in the midst of a ceasefire and ongoing peace process, the NMA sought “an inquiry into such extra judicial killings,” in the interest of human rights and justice.
“The solution has to lie in a genuine earnestness for peace, so that no more blood is shed,” it said.
