Women bodies share thought
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, September 01 2015:
The Naga Womens' Union (NWU), Hmar Women Association (HWA) and the Zomi Women Council (ZWC), representing the voice of indigenous women in Manipur asserted that "we are peoples different from the dominant societies" .
"We are a people who have been living and practising our culture and traditions which are unique and distinct from the dominant societies," the joint statement of these organisations said.
It added that "our social, cultural, economic and political life has been passed down from our ancestors and we continue to practise them" .
According to the statement, they belong to a worldview that defines land as collectively owned by the people and not the State.
We are against any form of attempt to alienate us from our land.
"Land is central to our identity and life," it stated.
"Therefore the proposed amendment of Manipur Land Revenue Act of 1960 as agreed exclusively between the Government of Manipur and the JCILPs on August 25, 2015 should not include the land of the indigenous peoples in Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati districts," it added.