‘Unacceptable and Questionable’: Naga Mothers’ Association Slams Naga Women Who Tied Rakhis on Assam Rifles Jawans

The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), a top body of Naga women, have criticised the “questionable” move by groups of Naga women in Nagaland and Manipur to tie rakhis on Assam Rifles personnel during the recent Raksha Bandhan celebration.

The NMA in a statement said the rakhi-tying act was shameful as the Naga women at large have been affected by the alleged atrocities committed by the Indian armed forces under protection from the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

“The Naga women have been traumatized by a genocidal history of rapes, molestation, killings, village groupings, inhumane atrocities at the hands of Indian armed forces under the impunity of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). It is a shame and a black day to witness our women tying rakhis and felicitating these very armed forces,” the NMA said in a statement.

The Raksha Bandhan celebrations were reportedly held at Dimapur in Nagaland and Tamenglong in Manipur. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was reportedly behind the initiative at Dimapur whereas a students’ body organised it at Tamenglong.

Established in the 1980s, the NMA brought together women from different Naga tribes such as the Angamis and Aos. The group has long acted as socially-sanctioned peacemakers to protect their communities through informal mediation and shaping of formal peace process in the conflict-ridden region. The NMA has played a significant role in attempting to bring different insurgent rebel outfits to peace talks and stopping inter-factional violence among armed groups. Notably, it started a peace building effort through the 'Shed No More Blood' campaign in 1994.

The women’s group has also consistently advocated for the repeal of AFSPA from the region and condemned the killing of cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland by the security forces. On the other hand, the NMA has also backed ceasefire pacts between the rebel groups and the government.

In view of the continuation of AFSPA in the region and absence of justice in incidents of alleged atrocities by security forces, the rakhi celebration is “unacceptable and questionable”, the NMA said.

“… It is unacceptable and questionable in the continuing violations of human rights as long as Nagas are forced to live under AFSPA in these Naga areas and without justice for the past history of human rights violations. The haunting cries of families of victims for justice in the numerous incidents over the decades are yet to be heard and justice served,” the NMA stated.

The association urged the national secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha Aienla Jamir, party’s Dimapur District Mahila Morcha chief Avi Aomi, and their members along with the students’ body women in Tamenglong to join the Naga women instead of taking part in such programmes.

“They must join Naga women if they are true Nagas who love their people and raise their voices to Government of India and central BJP leaders for repeal of the AFSPA and justice for crimes committed by the Indian armed forces, including the Assam Rifles,” the NMA said.