The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in a press release strongly condemned the “questionable act” of few Naga women, tying rakhis on Indian armed forces of Assam Rifles in parts of Dimapur and Tamenglong during the recent Raksha Bandhan celebration.
Expressing shock, NMA stated in the release issued on Saturday, “for us Naga women, traumatized by a genocidal history of rapes, molestation, killings, village groupings, inhumane army atrocities at the hands of Indian armed forces under the impunity of the 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, when we are yet to see justice for war crimes and human rights violations committed against our own women, children and men. Whether it be a BJP political party initiated activity in Dimapur or Students Union obligations to the Assam Rifles in Tamenglong, 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 is yet to be heard and justice served.”
NMA reminding the Naga women stated, “The horrifying massacre of Nagas at Matikhrü in 1960 by the 16th Punjab Regiment is a Black Day on 6th September till today which is a record of extreme violation of human rights, whereby the army committed the barbaric beheading of our innocent villagers. The killings, tortures and rapes at Oinam and surrounding villages under Operation Bluebird, Mokokchung arson, rapes and killings, Pangsha fake encounter and killing of an innocent wife and mother, villagers and unarmed cadres and maiming for life two surviving women victims, reckless shooting and killing of two children at Wuzu Firing are all still fresh in our recent memory, as we continue to grieve and suffer with families affected.”
It further termed the recent press statement of 44 Assam Rifles, Tamenglong unacceptable to the Naga women. NMA laid bare that “because they are not in a position to sermonize in the face of such atrocities, nor is the Raksha Bandhan objection issue about cultural practices or religious differences. It is about the denial of justice on war crimes against Nagas including its women and children, under the imposition of AFSPA.”
Urging the National Secretary, BJP Mahila Morcha Mrs. Aienla Jamir and Mrs. Avi Aomi, President, Dimapur District Mahila Morcha and their team, NMA in the release criticised saying, “the said student’s Union and women in Tamenglong, instead of carrying out such objectionable programs, they must join Naga women, if they are true Nagas who love their people and raise their voices to the 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.”
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