Khuzama (Nagaland), May 8: On the eve of Mothers’ Day, thousands of mothers from Nagaland gathered near Mao checkgate today to mourn the death of two Naga students and express solidarity with the women and children who were injured during the May 6 firing by Manipur police in Mao town in Senapati district. The solidarity rally, which was organised by Naga Mothers’ Association and supported by many Naga organisations, condemned the atrocities of Manipur police and denounced the violent activities of communities in Manipur Valley. It called for a halt to bloodshed and building peace among all communities. Members of Amnesty International who attended the rally condemned the atrocities of Manipur security forces on children and women and the use of brute force to contain people’s rights. Rosemary Dzivichu, an advisor to Naga Mothers’ Association, reiterated the association’s slogan “shed no more blood” while addressing the gathering. She said in any conflict women and children were the victims and called for a complete halt to violence against them. Khesheli Chishi, a former president of and now advisor to the association, said Nagas did not want violence. She blamed the neighbouring communities of harbouring and fomenting violence in the region. “We don’t want killing,” she said, adding that Naga mothers understood that life was precious. She said as the world prepared to celebrate Mothers’ Day tomorrow, Naga mothers were mourning the deaths of and injury to their children. The bodies of the two students are still lying in police custody as people in and around Mao town have fled and curfew is enforced in the area. Many of the injured are in hospi- tal. She condemned the action of Manipur police, which had rendered hundreds homeless as they had to flee to Nagaland to escape the security forces. “We treat Meiteis as our brothers and sisters and as one family. We want Nagas and Meiteis to live together,” she said, adding that Meiteis considered Nagas as their enemies. “Why are you so much against us when we want to live in peace?” she asked. However, at the same time, she stressed that Nagas would not compromise on their rights. They would remain one wherever they were and no force could disintegrate them. Venuh, the convenor of Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, said women had contributed a lot as the Nagas journeyed through a political upheaval but the men had failed to protect them from the atrocities committed by Indian security forces. He apologised to Naga women for the troubles they had faced. Referring to the Manipur government’s decision not to allow NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah to enter Manipur, he said, “Who are they to stop one from going to his village?” Muivah had planned to visit his native village, Somdal, in Ukhrul district on May 3 and then on May 6. He, however, deferred it once on the Centre’s request and then on the Naga organisations’ plea that he postpone his trip till a more congenial atmosphere prevailed. Venuh said Nagas had been suppressed for too long and whatever violence had taken place in Naga society was mostly unleashed by the state. “We want to live in peace. Whether Meitei people want to live in peace as good neighbours is their choice.” He called upon the Nagas to work for peace and unity. The president of Naga Students’ Federation, Mutsikoye Chakhesang, termed the Okram Ibobi Singh government as a “terrorist government” and called upon the Nagas to remain united to face any challenge from people who did not want peace..
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