Human Rights Issues In Manipur And Participation Of Tangkhul Women
- Part 5 -

Maireiwon Ningshen *

It is important to note that, the church also played an important role in this endeavour for peace. For example, in 1997, the 125 years of Christianity in Nagaland was celebrated in an unprecedented manner with a record of gathering of more than one lakh people at the Kohima ground. In this gathering everyone accepted that "the crying need of the land was peace, understanding and reconciliation in Christ". (Singh, op.cit.).

Appeal was also made to all the national workers "to stop fighting against one another." (North East Sun, Vol.3 No. 17, December 15-31, 1997: 13). Church leaders, Student Unions, Naga Hoho, and UNC, and various other Naga civil society groups together organised several rallies, demonstrations, fasting and mass prayers as a protest against the factional fights.

The TSL joined all these campaigns organised by the Naga civil bodies at large. Besides, Tangkhul women groups inside churches also observed fasting and held prayer meetings in their respective churches for the reconciliation of all the factional groups among the Nagas, particularly the two factions of the NSCN.

The Churches of different denominations located in Ukhrul town conducted special prayer and fasting meetings for this purpose and Tangkhul women were always in majority during such gatherings. Not only the churches located in Ukhrul town, but also the Tangkhul Churches located in every village, and even in Imphal city also prayed for bringing peace and unity among the Nagas.

Thus, the Tangkhul women took an active role in the movement for not only securing unity and understanding among various Naga factions but also in taking up initiatives to secure peace among the people. Indeed, they were always in the forefront while pursuing these goals.

In addition to the appeal for the peace and reconciliation between the two Naga underground factions and for the unity of all the Nagas, the TSL together with the Naga Hoho, UNC and other civil bodies, also pleaded the Government of India to bring fast and amicable solution to the vexed Naga issue. They knew that without finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the problem, there will be no end to the sufferings which the Naga people at large has been experiencing since the emergence of Naga insurgency. As such, along with various civil organisations of the Nagas, the TSL has been giving pressure to the Government of India to find a fast and amicable solution to the problem.

Then, on 14 June 2001, Government of India (GOI) and NSCN (IM) entered into an agreement in Bangkok which declared the extension of cease-fire without territorial limits. This declaration invoked mixed reactions among the people of Manipur. The Meiteis residing mostly in the valley of Manipur received this declaration with vehement protests which resulted in the June 18 uprising that year against the Government.

Altogether 14 persons were killed and scores including women were wounded as the CRPF fired to the protestors coming towards the Chief Minister and Governor's bungalow. (North East Sun, Vol.6. No.23. July 1-14, 2001:

7). On the other hand, in the Naga inhabited areas of four Districts of Manipur viz., Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamemglong and Senapati, people welcomed the cease-fire declaration without territorial limits with joy and it was considered a great triumph in the Indo-Naga peace talk process. Various Naga organisations - the Naga Hoho, NPMHR, UNC (M), NSF, NMA, NWUM, TSL, etc supported the cease-fire extension without territorial limits, saying that "the peace in one Naga inhabited area and violence in another Naga pocket will not lead to a permanent solution to the 53 year old problem". (North East Sun, Vol.7. No.1 August 1-14, New Delhi, 2001: 4).

Against this backdrop, the Nagas residing in various places took up peace rallies in support of the extension of cease-fire without territorial limits and urged the Government of India to stand by June 14 Agreement which was signed in Bangkok. In connection with this, the Naga student's community under the aegis of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) organised mass rallies on 24 July 2001 in all the Naga areas and wherever the Nagas are.

The NSF in collaboration with the Naga Student's Union, Delhi, also held the Naga peace rally in Delhi. Many Tangkhuls who were studying, working, etc. in Delhi joined the peace rally. The Tangkhul women together with the other Nagas tribe women wore their own traditional attire and marched peacefully from Mandi House to Parliament Street. After the rally, the students' body submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India where it appealed to all the authority concerned as well as peace loving people to extend support solidarity to the Nagas so that lasting peace could be realised.(North East Sun, Vol.7. No.1 August 1-14, 2001: 4).

It may be noted that a number of Tangkhul women who has been pursuing various studies outside Manipur always remained conscious about the happenings at home. Whenever the need arise, they will come forward and join men in protests and rallies that were organised in the interest of peace and for finding an amicable solution the Naga's demand for the merger of Naga inhabited areas into one political unit, independent or otherwise.

Prior to the NSF rally in Delhi also, the Naga People's Convention in a meeting of Naga leaders held on 28 June 2001decided to stage peace rallies in the four hill districts of Manipur - Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamemglong on 4 July.(North East Sun, Vol.6. No.24. July 15-28, New Delhi, 2001: 6). Accordingly, in Ukhrul District also a mass peace rally was held in Ukhrul town on 4 July 2001. Many Tangkhul women with their traditional attire joined the rally. The apex Tangkhul women's organisation – The TSL was one of the co-organisers of the rally.

After the rally, four civil organisations of Ukhrul District - The TNL, TSL, TKL and Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (Ukhrul Unit) sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the DCof Ukhrul District. It said: "… Nagas strongly believe in finding solution to the Indo-Naga Political issue through peaceful negotiation rather than armed and violent confrontation."(Memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India on 4 July, 2001 by TNL, TSL, TKS and NPMHR (Ukhrul Unit)).

Apart from the peace rallies, the Naga People's Convention also appealed all the churches of different denominations as well as other Naga religious organisations to leave aside the second Sabbath/Sunday in July 2001 for fasting and thanksgiving Tangkhul women were again in the forefront in such kind of fasting and thanksgiving.

After the talk between the GOI and NSCN (IM) was resumed, the leaders of the NSCN (IM) also began interaction with the various Naga civil societies. To strengthen the peace effort through people's participation a delegation comprising representatives of the various Naga people's organisations and tribes were invited by the NSCN (IM) to participate in a Consultative Meeting held in Bangkok, from 7 to 11 January 2002.

Dr. Gina Shangkham, President of Naga Women's Union, Manipur (NWUM) went and attended the Consultative meeting. (North East Sun, Vol.19, Issue 03 February 15-28, 2002: 6). It may be noted here that the TSL is a unit of NWUM and whatever action the organisation took up, it always supported it. The moral and all the other necessary help provided by the Naga women including the Tangkhul women tremendously helped the NWUM to work successfully.

To be continued.....