Women's Voices Must Count in Peace Talks: Naga Mothers' Association to RN Ravi

Dimapur, October 25, 2019:

The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has demanded inclusion of women’s voices in the ongoing Naga Peace Talks between the state agencies and interlocutor RN Ravi.

“We place on record our objection at the critical juncture on the policy of exclusion of civil society like Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights that have supported the peace process and peace dialogue for decades by the state agencies and the interlocutor of Naga Peace Talks”, said NMA in a statement.

The Association has also urged RN Ravi, who is also the Governor of Nagaland to abstain from selective division of the Nagas and remember that Naga women’s voices must also be counted in the process of peace building.

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NMA, in its statement, said that women of Nagaland had suffered as victims of the conflict, yet contributed to peace-making and peace-building. It has appealed for a unified solution to bring in sustainable peace.

“We appeal to our brothers and leaders from different Naga Political groups to come together in peace and speak for a solution that brings sustainable peace to the Nagas and our children. We appeal to the state government to impartially play its role of facilitators for peace by taking all Nagas forward,” said Naga Mothers’ Association, in its statement.

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It may be mentioned here that the Naga Peace Talks are underway between the Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and the Centre. The former has been demanding for a separate ‘Naga National Flag’ and ‘Naga constitution’.

The two groups are yet to find a solution to the Naga issue. The NSCN-IM’s Army Chief, Anthony Shimray, on Thursday said that the proposed deadline of October 31 will be extended after further consultations and the peace talks would continue.

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