How mothers in Nagaland work round-the-clock for peaceful electioneering, polling

In Nagaland’s Phek district, the Chakhesang mothers have been working round-the-clock on the streets to stop the flow of liquor and other intoxicating substances within its jurisdiction to ensure a ‘peaceful’ environment in the region during the state election.

The general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be held on February 27 before the votes are counted on March 2.

Spearheaded by the Chakhesang Mothers’ Association (CMA), temporary check gates were set up in all the Chakhesang villages and manned by volunteers consisting mostly mothers and youths of respective villages, as part of the Chakhesang Clean Election Movement.

When Eastern Mirror visited the inter-state border (with Manipur) check gate at Kezhakheno last week, 11 volunteers including eight women and three men were seen manning the temporary gate made of bamboo poles, stones and tree branches.

Lhounieo Koza, 62, told this newspaper that a lot of people, including the villagers, bring liquor from Manipur, and that is why their gate has to be more vigilant compared to the other check points.

They are checking the incoming as well as outgoing vehicles to prevent flow of liquor in the Khezha-Kuzha Tephe area and in other parts of the region.

‘This exercise is done to stop the flow of liquor because when people get drunk, some engage in scuffle, get into fights and create chaos in the society,’ she said.

The 62-year-old woman added that the volunteers thoroughly check the vehicles — under the seats, and even sniff the bottles they carry — as people sometimes carry liquor by mixing with water. Whatever they find, they either dispose it of or hand it over to the police, Koza shared.

The CMA steps in and the police are informed to take action if situation gets out of hand.

So far, they have not encountered any serious issues at Kezhakheno check gate.

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The volunteers usually reach the check gate in the morning after having food from their homes. Koza said women leave at around 10 pm as “it is difficult for us to stay till midnight”, and the youths take over.

Lhoumese-o Koza, a 26-year-old mother of two, said at least 10 people consisting mostly of mothers take turns in manning the check gate in the border.

Kezhakheno village has three gates, including the inter-state boundary gate. Four members each from middle and upper khels and two members from lower khel (which is smaller) are sent to the gates on a rotation basis.

All mothers, barring those with infants, are included in the list for duty at check gates, she added.

The volunteers also said their main worry is bad weather condition since there is no shade to rest at the check points.

CMA President, Zhonelü Tunyi, said there are over 100 check gates in the district managed by not less than 1000 volunteers. While some villages have only one or two gates, those areas with inter-state and inter-district boundaries have more.

It was decided during the CMA executive meeting with all the area representatives on January 28 this year, to set up check gates on February 10 but they had to initiate the exercise early as liquor had already started pouring in. Accordingly, Pfütsero and Khezha-Kuzha area started the checking on February 6, Tunyi informed.

‘If we don’t prohibit the flow of liquor and intoxicants, a person who asks for one will ask for double and one who asks for five will ask for triple next time. There is no sense of shame if one is drunk,’ she said.

‘Compared to the last election, the situation is not easy this time but we will take the challenge,’ she said while seeking support from the youth and student bodies to curb the menace.

‘All vehicles are checked, including that of the VIPs and administration,’ she added.

Besides the check gates, surprise checks are also conducted within the villages every now and then, especially in Pfutsero. On one such occasion, the mothers along with the police found rice beer and disposed it off. IMFL were also found from homes on other occasions, it was informed.

Tunyi, who inspects and closely monitors the check gates, said that mothers are not sleeping and are keeping a close watch round-the-clock for the welfare of the people.

‘It brings me to tears whenever I see mothers sacrificing so much for the people,’ she said. Kohima, Feb. 25 (EMN)