Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes. Absolutely yes. The existing power structures in our state ensure that only the rich will benefit and the powerful will remain in the seat of power. The recent fiasco over the Municipal elections is a good indicator of how the power structures will maintain its dominance. There cannot be any equality in this system.
• Yes, big time, but no one wants to bail the cat.
• Yes. Members in every group are becoming looking for their own interests to fulfill their own selfish ambition. That's why ....
• Yes, the corruption that is prevailing in our state is being sustained by the power system. This system is protecting and covering those who are corrupt and there is abuse of power.
• Yea. Today in our state the system is imposed from outside. Before the power structure was formed according to our value system, but in the present situation it is imposed from outside. This is one of the crux of the situation.
• Delhi has created a power structure which it is using to control the state.
• The power structures have created isms and are dividing the Nagas in class system which never existed before. The gap between the powerful and the powerless has become too much.
• Too many power structures, and they are all equally responsible.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No, because there are too many power structures. Infact there are multiple parallel structures. People are confused which one is the authentic one. The many governments are trying to legitimise their own power structure.
• No. Its not the power structures it is bad leadership that is the problem. Also with no vision the society is moving about aimlessly just barking at the moon.
• Indian system of governance should not be blamed. Tribalism of any hue will bring Nagas backward not forward. Beware of false pride. This reasoning is not about Art 371A.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Not the power structure but the power mongers and their ignorance about ‘constructive and community centered power sharing’ is the problem. No matter how conducive you create the structure of power, if people who decide, legislate, execute are shamefully ignorant about public welfare what can we expect from them. Either we continue to keep voiceless or revolt against their wrong doings.
• There are several power structures. Which one are you referring to. There is the Indian govt, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, the State government, bureaucrats, the Churches, 9 Naga Political groups with parallel government, the village government system and organisations like Naga Hoho, NTAC, JCC and tribal organisations. This is just the tip of the ice berg. There is also the different syndicates, elite companies, conglomeration of big business houses, and the list is quite long. The public are squeezed in between all these power structures.
• Our present power structures are (male) constructed power structures, constructed unconsciously for the good of community. But in the process and in the course of history have become 'God Given" laws which cannot be challenged by any. I like what Prof. L. Imsutoshi Jamir said in his book Sites in Tribal Cultural Studies "customary laws and practices are important but they are constructed procedure of Justice". Any power structures therefore must be deconstructed and reconstructed with a more realistic human face and with liberative dimensions. The notion of 'tested laws and practices' one of the stand point of the present tradition upholders has no validity. Nagas should move forward.
