Dimapur, January 24 (MExN): The All Naga Tribes Council of Nagaland (ANTCN) has urged the Government of Nagaland to go ahead with the process of urban local bodies’ (ULB) elections for the benefit of the Naga people in general.
The Council deliberated the issues pertaining to the municipal and town councils elections, particularly Article 371 (A) vis-à-vis women reservation at its 4th executive body meeting held on January 23 at its president’s residence in Dimapur.
A press release from Vitohe Sumi, President and P. Thong, General Secretary of ANTCN pointed out that the Nagas have had enough discussion on ULB elections; whether to allow the State government to conduct the same with women reservation or not to allow “for the reason of its misgivings that our rights guaranteed under Article 371 (A) could be infringed upon.”
It maintained that Article 371(A) is a special provision given by the Government of India to the Naga people, a special right. “In this provision the traditional land holding system of our Nagas is well secured. Our culture, custom and usages are well secured. The resources of our land are well secured. Everything that comes under the purview of Art 371(A) is secured.”
Women reservation on the other hand, it said, is a constitutional provision under Article 243(T) Part IX A since 1993. “The Government of Nagaland is only an implementing agency of this constitutional provision. This constitutional provision is to be followed by all Law abiding citizens of India including the Naga people. Nagas should come out clearly indicating the clause under which article of the Naga Law that the process infringes our rights,” ANTCN stated.
Pointing out that the Naga people in totality fall under reserved category, i.e. Scheduled Tribe, it asserted “we” cannot deny this privilege. “Opposing the constitutional provision giving 33% reservation to women in ULBs Election by vested interest group of people is their individual opinion which has been politicized in the pretext of women reservation,” the Council said.
It further reminded that Nagaland as the 16th State of the union of India has the constitutional obligation to follow the provisions as laid by the Indian Constitution.
Meanwhile, the release questioned, “Why some group of people is against holding of ULBs election only in Dimapur District?”
“If CNTC, NTC, JCC are against 33% reservation of women and not ULBs Election, why are they protesting against conduct of election including the 67% unreserved seats? The respective tribal Hohos should prevent their women candidates alone and not the entire candidates of the ULBs. This proves that it is politicized and the drama is run by vested interests,” it added.
