IMPHAL, Jan 18: Civil society organisations, women activists, youth and violence survivors from the Northeast, scholars, parliamentarians and members of several think tanks and policy makers are coming together for the Fourth Conclave of Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace during a two day meet at India International Center in New Delhi to be held on January 19t and 20.
A release of the Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace mentioned that the Northeast India Women Initiative for The violence in Northeast India has entered its sixth decade. Government panels, United Nations and hundreds of civil society organisations across India have called for an end to bloodshed in this region. However, the issue continues to remain deadlocked.
It is also further mentioned that their meeting is intended to break this deadlock and to bring forward various views on the issue, so that we can consult and advise each other to the best viable solution for peace and prosperity in the Northeast.
The conclave is organised by the Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace (NEWIP), a network initiated by the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Control Arms Foundation of India, and supported by Heinrich Boell Foundation, India. Among the noted participants will be survivors of violence such as Ms Sumshot Khullar from Chandel District in Manipur, Ms Kabita Jamatia from Tripura. Ms Hasina Kharbih from Meghalaya, Ms Elizabeth Imti from Nagaland and Ms Reena Mutum from Manipur are some of the other attendees of the Conclave. The inaugural speech at the Conclave will be delivered by P.B.K.Manikya deb Burman, Editor, The Northeast Today while noted scholar, Dr Anuradha Chenoy of Jawaharlal Nehru University will be giving the keynote address the release added.
The Conclave is an attempt to impart basic knowledge of the social, economic and political situation of Northeast India, the applicable law, and peace building measures to the local women folks. According to Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Convenor of the Conclave, “We the women from Northeast India, home to some of the worst conflict zones of this country, have felt the damage, the pain, and the tragedy which comes to our lives because of a continuing lack of peace and justice. As women who have survived violence, it is time to start staking our rightful claim at the negotiating table – that we have the right to decide our own future, to work towards ending conflicts, and to devise strategies so that no future conflicts happen†, it added.
