The Naga Mothers’ Association sent a representation to the Nagaland Governor on Wednesday where it asserted that it has ‘contributed much to bring in peace, social order and promoting women’s rights as Human Rights’ and that its records and activities were its testimony.
The clarification follows the allegations made by Angami Public Organisation and Chakhesang Public Organisation against NMA in separate letters to the Chief Secretary of the State. Both organisations had advised the government to stay away from the ‘un-mandated’ NMA.
The Naga Mothers’ Association said that the organisation was founded in 1984 with individual members but later expanded to included tribe women representatives and that since its inception, it has been working for peace, women’s issues and various other social issues.
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Elucidating on the organisation’s role in the Urban Local Body election, it stated that Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) was formed when the State government passed the Nagaland Municipal First Amendment Act 2006. The committee included Eastern Naga Women Organisation (ENWO), Watsü Mungdang, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD), Tenyimi Women Organisation (TWO) and tribe units of Naga Mothers’ Association.
NMA maintained that JACWR went to court on the advice of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio when the committee met with him on 31 May 2011 to submit a memorandum seeking implementation of the Act and hold the election with 33% Women Reservation. Later, the petition was withdrawn on 26 January 2017, following assurance from the then CM T.R. Zeliang that the polls would be held as scheduled.
‘.. the two NMA petitioners from the JACWR withdrew from the case in Delhi on 29 January 2017,’ it said.
NMA rubbished claims of ‘connection’ with People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), which is India’s largest Human Rights Organisation and who are the petitioners after NMA withdrew its petition.
Further it explained that Angami Women Organisation (AWO), Chakhesang Mothers Association (CMA), Sumi Totimi Hoho (STH), and Lotha Eloi Hoho (LEI) were forced to disassociate from NMA following the riots of February 2017. However, 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 were still associated with NMA.
The Naga Mothers also rejected the accusations that it was diluting and destroying customary laws, traditions. ‘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 the Naga society,’ it stated.
Regarding the displeasure of organisations over NMA holding an open discussion on municipal elections, the association said that it has the ‘freedom to deliberate and organise meetings and seminars on public policies that affects us all.’
Read more: APO appeals government to stay clear of ‘un-mandated’ NMA members to avoid ‘hiccups’
CPO accuses NMA of attempting ‘to dilute and destroy’ customary laws, traditions
