The Watsü Mungdang, the apex body representing Ao Naga women, has submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland, seeking action against individuals behind defamatory remarks targeting Ao women and former Chief Minister and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr SC Jamir. The Facebook group “Patriotic Nagas” allegedly made the remarks, questioning Dr Jamir’s ethnicity and family background while also tarnishing the modesty of Ao Naga women.
The Ao Senden, the apex Ao body, previously met Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma, IPS, on November 13, 2024, and lodged an FIR regarding the incident at Police Station-1 in Mokokchung. Similarly, the Dimapur Ao Youth Organization (DAYO) filed a separate FIR at the Dimapur Police Station. Despite these actions, no significant progress has been reported in identifying or taking action against the perpetrators.
In its memorandum to the Governor, the Watsü Mungdang expressed concerns over the lack of accountability, urging the state administration to uncover the identity of the individuals behind the Facebook page and ensure justice is served.
“The modesty of Ao Naga women has been defamed, and such actions should not be allowed to go unchecked,” the memorandum read. The organization requested the Governor’s intervention, emphasizing the need to address the issue promptly to uphold justice and safeguard community dignity.
Silent protest in Shillong
The Ao Women (Aotsür Telongjem), Shillong, staged a silent protest on Wednesday at 10 am in the premises of Nagaland House, Shillong, Meghalaya. The protest was in response to “defamatory remarks on Ao Women and the genetic ethnicity of Padma Bhushan, Dr. S.C. Jamir” made by a Facebook group known as “the Patriotic Nagas.”
Around 40 Ao women gathered for the protest, wearing traditional attires and black armbands “to show their dismay and discontentment.” The event was organized under the leadership of the Watsü …Mungdang, the apex body of Ao Naga women, based in Mokokchung.
A short program was held during the protest, where participants voiced their anger against “the malicious accusations that insulted the dignity of Ao women.” The women’s body emphasized the need for “community leaders and organizations to act firmly and publicly condemn such derogatory remarks and hold them responsible by taking legal actions.”
The protestors declared that “the Ao Women residing in Shillong stand united in solidarity with the Watsü Mungdang and anticipate a positive, firm, and immediate action from the concerned authorities.”