Senapati, September 2 (MExN): The Naga Women’s Union (NWU), on September 2, joined others, in condemning the alleged ‘rakhi tying incident’ by some Naga women on security personnel at a recent function.
According the NWU, the unfortunate incident that took place somewhere in Tamenglong and Ukhrul district “where some of our Naga sisters attended the function of Raksha Bandhan organized by Assam Rifles.”
While stressing that it is not against any “religious tradition such as the celebration of Raksha Bandhan,” the NWU in a press release, condemned “the deceptive tactics and coercive military power symbolising as the protector of Naga Women by our own perpetrators - the Indian Armed Forces in particular the Assam Rifles.”
This is an insult and an offence, stated the NWU in the release issued by its President, Asha Wungnam and Information Secretary, Crosby Gangmei.
“Our sisters who took part in Raksha Bandhan celebration may be reminded of the bitter truth that our wounds inflicted by Indian armed forces are not healed and tears not dry and we are yet to see justice,” it asserted.
The NWU further alleged that the Indian Armed Forces “under the garb of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) committed gross violation of human rights against Naga People.”
During this “long period of militarization,” several atrocities including sexual assaults, molestations, torture and killings were committed, it further alleged.
Against this backdrop, the union stated that “inviting Naga women to tie rakhis is an unbearable insult to the memories of our loved ones who died fighting for our rights and who may never see the light of justice.”
How the perpetrators be “our protector,”? NWU questioned. This is a pertinent question every right thinking Naga women should be asking, it stated, adding that it “cannot condone the atrocities committed by the Indian Armed Forces upon Naga People.”
It further reminded the Assam Rifles that “enticing ignorant Naga Woman to tie rakhis by misinterpreting religious practice” for its “vested interests” only re-affirms “the unapologetic and perpetual act of violation against Naga women and womanhood in general.”
Accordingly, the NWU also appealed to all the Nagas not to be "victims of “such deception and to refrain from taking part in such activities in the near future.”
“As long as AFSPA remains in our land, the act of tying rakhis by a sister to a brother for protection is a blatant contradiction which is alien to our culture,” it added.
