Prof Rosemary Dzüvichu being conferred the Peace Award 2022 by members of Peace Channel at their centre in 7th Mile Chümoukedima on September 21 (Morung Photo).
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | September 21
Recognising the need for bringing on-board women’s voices in the peace-building process of the state, Prof Rosemary Dzüvichu stated, “as long as women’s rights are negated and curtailed, we will not have peace within our society.” She added that Naga society is still reeling under the aftermath of conflict brought about in the past. These were made clear from the militarisation of the state and living in fear of a gun culture.
Dzüvichu was speaking during the 15th Peace Knit Fest 2022-cum-Peace Chanel Foundation Day & commemoration of International Day of Peace organised by Peace Channel and North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) at 7th Mile Chümoukedima on September 21 where she was also an awardee for this year’s ceremony.
She made the point that, “we want peace in Nagaland but we also want unity and recognition as a people” besides noting how Naga women have also contributed considerably towards the peace-building process. As such in order to build a future for Naga society, it has to be gender sensitive and dynamic in its approach, she stressed.
Broaching on the topic of women’s reservation, which she along with the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) spearheaded, she acknowledged the positive steps taken by the Supreme Court and the State government in conducting the ULB elections soon. Dzüvichu reasoned that women reservation is not an Indian concept as it originated in the West. “The reason why there are numerous women politicians in Europe is because they entered Parliament through reservation,” she noted.
Hence she hoped for more female participation in the political decision making at the highest level of the state.
The Peace Award is conferred to individuals for their contributions and selfless services towards peace building within the society. Particularly for her works under the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Southeast Asian Peace and conflict studies, member of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), President of Nagaland University Teachers Association, Co-convenor of Global Naga Forum, Advisor for Naga Mothers Association and many others.
Vehicle theft and extortion accounted for majority of crimes in Nagaland
Rothihu Tetseo, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur who was invited as the chief guest for the event, noted that one of the highest crime related activity in the state is vehicle theft and second is extortion. On top of which the number of unregistered vehicles is rampant. “As a Christian state, if we continue to behave in this manner, then our preaching will be meaningless for others,” he said.
He further revealed that in Nagaland during 2021, the total cases registration is 1503 out of which Dimapur accounted for almost 50% of cases totalling 743. Out of these 200 odd cases were registered in the East Police station of Dimapur town. Tetseo explained how the basis for all these crime related activities invariably revolved around money and the power struggle between different the business groups of Dimapur. “So these are the challenges faced by the police today,” he noted.
He mentioned how there is a trust deficiency brought on by an increase in division between tribal lines and organisations. He also noted the lack of a single united organisation to bring the Naga people together under one platform, has exacerbated these divisions.
Having participated in the UN Peace-keeping mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the late 1990s, Tetseo stated that peace is important in the society as development and security prevail with the presence of peace.
Beside the award ceremony, the other events of the day were the Inter-faith meet and the launching of VEDHIK IAS academy in Peace centre.
