EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 26
The Naga Mothers’ Association on Saturday clarified that it is an independent organization free of any affiliations and that its members are not “agents of the state government or the government of India.” A press statement from the NMA today said that the clarification was necessitated in the backdrop of “the recent serious allegations, speculations and statements issued by different organizations, national media correspondents” against the NMA.
“The NMA has neither been tasked by the State Government nor the Government of India in our recent initiative of peace building with the NSCN (Khaplang), as misreported by national media. Peace keeping and peace building has been the mandate of the NMA since the early 1980’s and 90’s and we continue to do so over the years, in all kinds of conflict situations and in our search for peace as Mothers and as Naga women.
“The recent Peace Mission to meet the NSCN (K) across the border was unanimously approved by the NMA Executive Body and Advisors in its meeting on the 26thAugust held in Kohima. The five day trip, which was not a journey of comfort, was not sponsored by either the state government or the GOI, but through personal contributions of the team members.”
It stated that the NMA had been requesting the leaders of NSCN (K), since the abrogation of the ceasefire in March 2015, for a peace dialogue and were happy to accept their open invitation to meet the NSCN (K) leaders, before their meeting with the ENPO and the Naga Hoho . As an organization that has worked for decades on peace, any peace initiative of the NMA does not need the sanction or permission of any other organization or the government, nor are we duty bound to inform any one on a peace mission that we feel is imperative to undertake, it stated.
“That, the NMA makes an appeal to the national media ,including DNA, IANS, to have the courtesy of cross checking accounts, or making a call, before putting words into our mouths, as has been the case in the recent media coverage of either the Pangsha incident or the memorandum submitted to the government of India.
“The NMA has cross checked with the Delhi based PTI correspondent Mr A Bora, on the statement made by the Union Home Minister Mr Rajnath Singh in the NHRC seminar, which was in reference to the hanging of Yakub Memon and battles between armed groups and security forces, and not about the NMA or the Pangsha killings brought before his office. Therefore, the DNA article, carried by (a section of the) local media, seeks to discredit the NMA and our meeting with the Union Home Minister.”
The NMA appreciated the graciousness of the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh “on the frank exchange of views in our closed door meeting in the afternoon of the 18th September 2015 at the Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block and his willingness to consider the requests of the NMA.”
We also appreciate the seriousness of the Union Minister of State, Mr Kiren Rijiju on the NMA memorandum, in his meeting with the NMA on the 19th September 2015, it stated.
“The NMA reiterates its position on the Naga issue that it must be inclusive for sustainable peace and we appeal to all Naga Political Groups to come in peace together and work for the future of our people and our children.
We appreciate and encourage all organizations working for bringing peace and understanding, working for changes within society, including younger voices.
“The NMA places its strong protest to the Indian army authorities and to stop harassment of families and children of those National workers who have been killed. The recent raid on a house of a deceased cadre, in the midst of grief and loss suffered by the wife and children, is totally inhuman and unwarranted.”
It also expressed “deep concern and sadness” at the “latest gang fight incident” leading to the death of a young boy in Kohima. “We make an earnest appeal to schools and college authorities, parents and teachers, colony leaders to be vigilant and discourage such forms of violence among our youth and help build peace among the next generation.”
