Dr. Rosemary Dzüvichü, advisor of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), has reportedly received a “death threat” on popular social media platform Facebook suspected to be in retaliation for her advocacy for women’s political representation in Nagaland. The post was alleged to have been made by one WJ Longkumer in a group called “Unified Naga Land For Christ”, a page he also moderates.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Dzüvichü revealed that the threat, which also targeted other feminists, was posted on a public group. She stated that such intimidation was not new, having endured similar threats during the long struggle for municipal elections and women’s reservation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state. Despite the hostility, she affirmed that the movement is unstoppable, pointing out that over a hundred women now hold seats due to their constitutional rights and a Supreme Court ruling.
Dzüvichü has filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime Police in Kohima, who have launched an investigation.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
“Women’s rights are human rights and many of us have faced hatred, defamation and threats to see our women step into these decision-making bodies. Killing me with a bullet will not stop Naga women articulating about their rights,” Dzüvichü stated in her post.
Nagaland Tribune reached out to the activist but she did not wish to comment further as investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Global Naga Forum (GNF) has condemned the threat on its co-convener Dzüvichü. “To openly issue death threats and spew such vulgar, abuse especially against women is not only criminal but represents a shocking level of moral decay. Such actions have no place in any civilized society, least of all in one rooted in values of dignity, respect, and justice. Let it be made loud and clear: No threat, no bullet, and no hate-filled word can silence the voice of truth, justice, and women’s dignity. Those who hide behind keyboards to incite hatred and violence are nothing but cowards and enemies of the values our people hold dear,” the organisation stated.
Expressing solidarity with Dzüvichü and with every Naga woman who continue to champion justice, equality, and dignity in the face of such vile attacks, the GNF asserted that this is not just an assault on one individual but an attack on every mother, sister, and daughter of “our land”.
The forum also maintained that it is deeply disturbing to learn that WJ Longkumer has allegedly claimed affiliation with the civil/over ground wing of the NSCN-IM in another Facebook group.
“We urge the relevant authorities to immediately investigate this claim and clarify its authenticity to the public,” it stated while demanding swift and decisive action by law enforcement agencies against the individual responsible. “Hate speech, death threats, and misogynistic vulgarity must never be normalized or tolerated in our society,” GNF added.
