DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) today expressed support to the 33% women reservation for local body elections in Nagaland. A press note from the NPRAAF acknowledged the Nagaland State Government for “taking the bold step to go ahead with the reservation policy in the local bodies amidst opposition from some quarter.” “In a democracy, on any policy issue, you cannot find cent percent acceptability; therefore in the name of broader consultation, good policy decision should not wane,” it stated. The NPRAAF said that the reservation policy is “not about looking down on women as weaker section but it is merely to encourage the intellectual and capable womenfolk to come to the fore to lead the Nagas for a better tomorrow.” “In our Naga society we never discriminate women in any way. They are considered equal to male counterpart and the womenfolk have excelled in all fields, even without reservation but in politics they still remain to be seen actively involved, especially in policy bodies,” it stated. It expressed belief that the reservation policy “would make our democracy even more powerful and productive.” It further appealed to the civil society and political parties not to go against the policy but support it. The NPRAAF meanwhile asked the State Government “not to just apply cosmetics on the roads during Hornbill Festival for the tourist to travel smoothly but make sincere effort to better the road condition which has worsened over the years throughout the state.” Our state economy can improve only when we have good roads, it said.
