Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | October 1
The microphone cracked and the TATA truck stage in Dimapur creaked under the felled voices of women in Nagaland. This, however, had no effect on the customarily waxed ears of Naga men as October 1 was marked a ‘Black Day’ for Naga women. State-wide rallies were marked by the attendance of women leaders of various tribes from Nagaland and the absence of men, political parties and student unions.
In a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, through the DCs of 11 districts of Nagaland, the Joint Action Committee for Women Reservation (JACWR) and its constituent bodies have demanded, in keeping with international and national mechanisms, a Special Extraordinary Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) to withdraw the September 22 Assembly resolution adopted and passed by the NLA against reservation for women in Town and Municipal bodies (urban governance). It also asked the Governor, Head and Guardian of the State, to condemn the resolution.
In Kohima, the rally was chaired by Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) President and JACWR Convenor Abei-ü Meru, addressed by Sano Vamuzo, Chairperson, Nagaland Women Commission, Rosemary Dzüvichü, co-Convenor JACWR and Rev Dr. Mazie Nakhro. In Dimapur, close to 200 women leaders gathered at the Clock Tower, addressed by President of Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD), Hukheli Wotsa, Vice President NWHD, Mmhalo Ngullie, the memorandum read by Joint Secretary NWHD, Wungthingla Vashum, and a special prayer address by Khrieleno Terhuja. Rallies were similarly organised in Wokha by Kyong Eloe Hoho and in Peren by Zeliangrong Mipui Organisation.
The JACWR has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court of India, and termed the latest NLA move the “darkest side of State violence against women”. The JACWR has been struck by the “absurdity” that 25% reservation of funds and seats for women in the Village Development Boards of the 1110 villages in Nagaland has existed since 1980 without any resistance but representation in urban bodies should be a problem.
The government had stated that it needed to scrutinize parliamentary laws applicable in Nagaland and a ‘select committee’ was appointed to study the exemption of Nagaland from Part IX A of the Indian constitution, even though the principle was accepted in law through the Nagaland Municipal, First Amendment, Act in 2006. In September this year, the Assembly, under pressure from Naga Hoho and ENPO, decided against implementing the Act.
“The Committee has failed to state what customary law or social practice has been impinged,” stated the memorandum from the women, adding, “the claim that Part IX A of the Indian constitution goes against Article 371 (A) is false and unacceptable to Naga women”.
The women, in the memorandum, stated that they are “deeply aggrieved and shocked” with the partisan stand of the sixty legislators that ignored the voices of women’s organisations. Unconstitutional on various counts, the Assembly has not only rejected representation for women in town and municipal bodies, but has not even conducted these elections due since 2010. The reason has been stated to be the pending Indo-Naga solution. It is not yet clear if the same reason will be applied to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly election due next year.
The JACWR, in a press release, has conveyed “deep gratitude” to all tribal women’s organisations that “successfully organised protest rallies in their respective districts in spite of strong opposition and lobbying form various quarters to disrupt and prevent women from participating in the rallies.”
The JACWR has also thanked Dr. Mazie Nakhro for his support to women’s rights in Naga society.
The memorandum was signed Abei-ü Meru, convenor JACWR & president Naga Mothers’ Association, Lochumbeni, secretary JACWR & secretary NMA, Rosemary Dzuvichu, co-convenor JACWR and advisor NMA, Menlei Konyak, member JACWR & president Eastern Naga Women Organization, Hokheli, member JACWR & president Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Lily Tep member JACWR & executive member Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and Vilanuo Angela Yhome member JACWR & secretary Tenyimia Women Organization.
The memorandum was also sent to Chief Minister Nagaland, Speaker NLA, chairperson, National Women Commission Delhi and chairperson Nagaland Women Commission.
(With inputs from Aheli Moitra and Chizokho Vero)
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