"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

1. PRESENTING A CASE OF THE NAGA WOMEN
UNION., MAIPUR.INDIA
Sumshot Khular, Vice President Naga Women Union
& CARD
9th October, Manila Hotel, Manila

2. PHYSICAL LOCATION-NE INDIA

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!