"Community-based conflict prevention and conflict resolution strategies and approaches: the case of The Naga Women Union (Maipur, India)
Regional Review Conference on the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development
Manila, Philippines | 8-9 October 2014
3. The NAGA INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES
Over 3 Million People
Separated by International Boundary between India
and Myanmar
In India –Assam, Arunachal,Manipur and Nagaland
In Arunachal pradesh-10 tribes
In Assam-5 tribes
In Manipur -16 tribes
In Nagaland-18 tribes
Myanmar-10 tribes
4. MAIN ISSUES
Non-recognition of the right of Indigenous
Peoples to their lands, territories and resources
is the root cause of violence brought about by
development aggression
Armed Forces Special Powers Act(1958)
STATE POLICY-DIVIDE and RULE-support from
state
Nagas Declared Independence on 14th August 1947
Single group –split into 2 main groups NSCN IM-NSCN-
K
Signing of Ceasefire with the Indian Government on
1st August 1997 ( 17 years)
Signing ceasefire with several armed groups in NE
India and increasing New Groups and gangs
5. MAIN CHALLENGES
• Lack of strong commitment to take up the Geneva
Declaration on Armed Conflict and Development
Lack of information and awareness on IHL
Role of Media
DEVELOPMENT FOR WHOM ? ?? Whose Costs??
Look East Policy, FDIs, SEZs.
- Trans-Asian Highway
- Trans-Asian Railway
- Gas Pipeline
- High Voltage power grip line
- Mining-Uranium
- Dams-Tipaimukh, Mapithel,Chakpi, etc
6. TRADITIONAL MEDIATION
“PUKREILA”-A married woman –the mediator
between warring brothers, clans or villages
RESPECTED Position, her words taken, for example
her presence can immediately stop the war
Women are active agents-reaching out to all groups
7. KEY LESSONS LEARNT
Shed No More Blood Campaign by Naga Mother’s
Association and Naga Women Union
One to one Meeting- Individuals and Groups
CBOs ( Tribe Hoho, Councils & Church Involvement
COURAGE TO INTERACT WITH BOTH ANSAs and
Public
Women leaders from the Naga Mother’s Association
and Naga Women are part of the FORUM FOR THE
NAGA RECONCILATION (FNR)
8. STARTEGIES/APPROACHES
Ongoing Education on Peace and Non-Violence
Engaging Youths –POLICIES and PARTICIPATION
Community Mobilisation and Engagement
Building allies across communities…i.e ATWO
ECONOMIC DEVEOPMENT- EMPOWERMENT
PARTICIPATORY PROCESS-INCLUSIVE
Role of Donors and States ???
9. KUKI-NAGA RECONCILIATION
Kuki Naga Violent conflict 1993 -2000
Traditional Ritual of Reconciliation 15th Dec 2013
16th December 2013 Chandel
Public from both Communities- over 5000 people
(Youth, women, Church,Tribe bodies, armed groups)
Exchange of gifts
Oath taking
Feast of love
Akpanpaak Chaak Inna ! Kuknalim!! Salamat Po!
10. KUKI-NAGA RECONCILIATION
Kuki Naga Violent conflict 1993 -2000
Traditional Ritual of Reconciliation 15th Dec 2013
16th December 2013 Chandel
Public from both Communities- over 5000 people
(Youth, women, Church,Tribe bodies, armed groups)
Exchange of gifts
Oath taking
Feast of love
Akpanpaak Chaak Inna ! Kuknalim!! Salamat Po!
Editor's Notes
Local experiences of women in Naga villages
8 NE Indian States ,Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,Tripura and Sikkim