Rengma Mothers’ Association directed to dissociate from NMA

Dimapur: The Rengma Hoho (RH) on Thursday directed the Rengma Mothers’ Association to dissociate from the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) for the “interest” of the Nagas.

It also demanded the association to “consult” the apex Rengma body if it is invited to participate in any other organisational platform, failing which it would take action as per customary law, a press statement said.

“As we read through the letter of the NMA, it is understood that it has withdrawn its petition from the court on 27.1.2017 and also has no connection with the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), India’s largest human rights organisation.

“If the narrative is true, the court case should not have re-surfaced. Any organisation volunteering to justify or champion a cause on behalf of the people by giving their valuable inputs should not drag every conflict to court without the consent of the aggrieved. While one may say it is the right of the aggrieved, those accused also have rights, which should not be violated. Now majority of the Nagas are on equal footing as far as violation of Article 371(A) is concerned. In the midst of these doldrums, if the NMA has consciously withdrawn and disconnected itself from organisations outside Nagaland, it is appreciated,” read the statement.

Under such circumstances and based on its resolution on March 28, 2023, Rengma Hoho said it will not allow any of its constituent units to participate or allow to be member of any other organisation that “works to widen the social divide and bring detriment to its own people.”

Meanwhile, it appreciated the government of Nagaland for its “timely action” of repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA) 2001.

“Inaction would have courted turmoil in every corner of the 16 districts. The positive action taken by the Legislative Assembly has saved Nagas from further predictable bloodshed,” it read.