Members of the Naga Women peace delegation.
Dimapur, October 6 (MExN): With the Indo-Naga political talks reportedly gaining momentum, a delegation of women from different Naga areas has been reaching out to the Government of India (GoI) and top leaders of the NSCN (IM) as well as the NNPGs for an ‘early and inclusive settlement’.
The seven women delegation was sponsored by the Global Naga Forum (GNF) as part of its peace initiative and it was led by Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu, Advisor of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA).
According to a press release from Dzuvichu, prior to the Delhi meetings, the NMA leaders met top leaders of the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs in successive meetings at Dimapur and shared women’s concerns for an inclusive and early peaceful settlement.
The Naga women peace delegation also called on Ato Kilonser Th Muivah and top leaders of the negotiating party and Collective Leadership in Delhi to convey the concerns of Naga mothers and women to bringing an early and inclusive settlement to being peace into all Naga areas.
The delegation attended meetings held with top officials of the GoI in Delhi and later with the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Deputy National Security Advisor Padsalgikar and discussed the long drawn out peace process and the need for an early inclusive settlement.
A Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India was submitted at the PMO Secretariat to the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Copies of the Memorandum were also submitted to the Union Home Minister and the Defence Minister offices.
In the high level meetings, the core issues for a meaningful and peaceful relationship between India and the Nagas were discussed as mentioned in the Memorandum, the release informed.
They also reportedly discussed integration of contiguous Naga traditional homeland and respect for the rights and history of the Nagas in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal, Assam and Myanmar.
Respect and recognition of the Naga Flag as part of our identity and long history of struggle was also discussed, including the Naga Constitution which would be a ‘living document’ that reflects our “values and philosophy and protects our customs and traditions, our land and resources from any form of exploitations.”
The legal contentions on the Art 371 A vis a vis the Oil and Natural gas issues, of state and central government, which has shown that we need further protection of our rights, land and resources, it added.
Concerns were shared on man-made borders and boundaries that divide the Nagas and that the peace settlement should embrace our lineage and history and recognition of the rights of our Nagas beyond the international border of Myanmar.
They also asserted that the “settlement must be inclusive of all Naga Political Groups to enable our children to live in an environment free from war and violence and live in dignity as a People.”
During the discussions, the delegation also clarified several other issues of the ground realities which had been ‘misinformed and misinterpreted’ to the GoI.
The Naga mothers’ call for ‘Shed no more blood ‘meant no more deaths for both Nagas and Indians, the release said, and urged for a ‘early peaceful settlement’.
It highlighted women’s daily struggle with heavy armed militarisation in Naga areas under the AFSPA during the ceasefires and called for accountability and peace as well as “stopping movement of armed forces which have been responsible for high spike in COVID 19 in Naga areas.”
The attention of the GoI was also drawn to the lack of development of Naga areas in Myanmar in terms of roads, infrastructure, health and educational facilities and the delegation asserted that the peace settlement should take these concerns into account.
Development of Border Trade Centres and opening of borders for the Act East Policy of the GoI to ensure full participation and benefits for the Naga people were also discussed.
The representatives of the GoI and the National Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor, in successive meetings made it clear that the Prime Minister was committed to an early, inclusive settlement for peace and development of the Naga areas, according to the release.
Acknowledging the points laid down by Naga women, the GoI officials also reportedly took cognizance of Naga mothers and women’s efforts towards peacemaking and peacekeeping. They sought the cooperation of Naga women to ensure the road to an inclusive, peaceful settlement, the release said.
A meeting with GNF members in Delhi was also held to interact and share outcomes of the meetings with the GoI .The peace team also reached out to interact with Indian writers and activists on the Naga peace process.
Other members of the delegate were Abeiu Meru, President, Naga Mothers Association, Asha Wungnam, President of the Naga Women Union in Manipur ,Yutan Sanya, representative from Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh, Miriam Rengma ,former President Rengma Students Union Guwahati as representative from the Rengma Hills, Assam ,Dr Neikesanuo Sorhie, Former Convenor, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Ningreichon Tungshang, Former Convenor, NPMHR ,Delhi.
The Naga Women Peace Delegation extended gratitude to those who continuously upheld them in prayers and also to the GNF and other donors who sponsored their journey.
They reaffirmed their commitment to foster unity and peace and an end to war and violence.
The delegation also appealed for reconciliation 'for peace and the greater good of the Nagas'.
