Dimapur, February 19 (MExN): Zeme Council North East India (ZCNEI) today expressed its observation on the “twist and turn of social unrest” over the Urban Local Bodies’ (ULB) polls in Nagaland and the demand for resignation of the Chief Minister TR Zeliang.
Stating that the Municipal Act was adopted through collective cabinet decision along with the previous Chief Minister of Nagaland without much hassle, a press statement from ZCNEI President, Raitu Elu wondered “how come we just woke up from our deep slumber on opening up the very book.” If the Act had been implemented during the previous Chief Minister’s tenure, the outcome, it maintained, “would be or likely to be another story which shows that heartburn of certain advanced tribe upon minor tribe Chief Minister and his efficiency in governing.”
The Council further pointed out that upon declaration of ULB elections, there were several opinions over infringement of Article 371A thereby customs and traditions of the Nagas by the ordinance of Article 243T. However, ZCNEI stated, the ULB polls has nothing much to do with the Naga traditions and customs as has been reiterated by many Naga tribal organisations.
The ULB elections, the statement said, was declared in compliance with the statutory rules and regulation and according to the directive of the centre.
“No doubt, the loss of the three souls was highly regretted by the Chief Minister himself who had promptly extended condolence message. Nevertheless, the incident was in such an abnormal circumstance beyond the control of the Chief Minister and invariably on moral ground he did everything within his capacity to normalise the situation,” ZCNEI added.
The Council further said that whether TR Zeliang steps down or not, “the Naga public should realize that his resigning can never bring back the dead to live again but it will be prudent on our part to balance our sentiment in such a situation by prevailing good sense of judgement.”
The ZCNEI President clarified that the above observation “should not be projected as an ideology of certain community or personalizing in any manner, patronizing a particular person(s),” while adding it will be prudent to ponder upon the present issue within the ambit of Indian constitution and the state of Nagaland.
