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| Naga Mothers' Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Naga Mothers' Association |
| Formation | 1984 |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | Kohima, Nagaland |
| Region served | Nagaland, Northeast India |
| Leader title | President |
Naga Mothers' Association
The Naga Mothers' Association is a women-led civil society organization founded in 1984 in Kohima, Nagaland that focuses on social welfare, human rights, and peacebuilding among the Naga people, engaging with stakeholders across India, Myanmar, and the broader North East India region. It has interacted with entities such as the United Nations, Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and regional bodies including the Naga National Council and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland during peace processes. The association has mobilized coalitions with groups like All India Radio, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Kohima City Council, and civil society networks such as Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace.
The association emerged in the 1980s amid insurgency involving organizations like the Naga National Council, National Socialist Council of Nagaland, and the Government of India, responding to events including the Shillong Accord and clashes near Kohima and Wokha. Early leaders liaised with figures from the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Naga Students' Federation, and local institutions such as St. Joseph's College, Jakhama, while engaging with religious actors like Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Üsou and educators at Nagaland University. Over the 1990s and 2000s the association interacted with peace mediators from the Government of India, representatives of the United Nations Development Programme and activist groups including People's Union for Civil Liberties and Human Rights Watch.
The organization's objectives include promoting family welfare, mediating communal disputes, protesting human rights violations, and advocating for disarmament with partners such as International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, and regional NGOs like North East Network. Activities have involved public demonstrations in coordination with bodies such as the Naga Hoho and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, submission of memoranda to the Governor of Nagaland, campaigning alongside legal advocates from the Supreme Court of India circuit, and conducting workshops with academics from IIT Guwahati and Jawaharlal Nehru University on issues linked to agreements like the Ceasefire Agreement and proposals discussed by the Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks.
The association is organized through village-level units that coordinate with district committees in areas like Dimapur, Mokokchung, Kiphire, and Mon district. Leadership has historically included elected presidents and secretaries who have engaged with institutional actors such as the Nagaland Police and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in district headquarters. Membership draws from church groups including the Baptist Church, civil society cadres from the Naga Students' Federation, and representatives from community institutions like Morung councils and traditional chiefs who attend forums alongside delegates to assemblies held in venues such as the Nagaland State Museum.
The association has played a mediatory role in peace talks involving the Government of India and insurgent groups such as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), pressing for ceasefires, release of detainees, and humane conduct by security forces including the Indian Army and Assam Rifles. It has partnered with international actors like the European Union delegations and UN envoys, advocated at forums including the Naga Peace Talks and engaged with public intellectuals from Delhi University and Tezpur University. The association has also highlighted issues before judicial and legislative bodies including petitions referencing provisions of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and lobbying for development funds from agencies such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act implementers.
Prominent campaigns include protests against incidents of violence in locations like Phek and Tuensang, peace marches coordinated with the Kohima Municipal Council, advocacy for families of missing persons working with Centre for Human Rights and Development, and welfare drives in partnership with humanitarian groups like Médecins Sans Frontières and Caritas India. Initiatives have included community reconciliation meetings, public letters to leaders such as the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, and collaboration with researchers from North Eastern Hill University on documentation projects about displacement and rehabilitation. The association has also engaged with media outlets including The Hindu, The Telegraph (Calcutta), and The Times of India to amplify campaigns.
The association faces challenges including pressure from armed groups like the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and logistical constraints in remote districts such as Peren and Longleng district, competition for influence with organizations like the Naga Hoho and debates with political parties including the Naga People's Front. Critics from some activist circles and political commentators at outlets like Republic TV and regional columnists have questioned its neutrality, capacity to represent urban constituencies in Dimapur, and its responses to controversies involving security operations by the Assam Rifles and Indian Army. Administrative hurdles include registration and funding oversight interacting with bodies such as the Ministry of Home Affairs (India) and compliance with frameworks influenced by agencies like the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.
Category:Organisations based in Nagaland