• Informs that ULB election will go ahead despite bandhs
• Says government is on right side of law & Constitution
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 29
Despite stiff opposition from Naga tribe organizations, Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang continues to stand firm that the government will go ahead with ULB elections in the state.
He said today that the State Government, without taking a confrontational attitude, will carry out its constitutional obligations, and ensure that free and fair polls are conducted to the municipal and town councils with women reservation.
“It is my sincere appeal to all sections of people of the State not to take law in their hand, and allow people to exercise their democratic rights as provided by the law of the land,” the CM urged, while addressing a press conference here this evening at the State Banquet Hall.
He said no political party can force any candidate to obtain their party ticket to contest in any election, adding that it is the decision of the candidate to apply for tickets, and accordingly, respective parties issue the tickets. However, civil organizations (non-political party), obtaining withdrawal letter/retirement letter from contesting candidates under threat/intimidation /vandalism are not acceptable in any democratic society, or in any democratic set up, he added.
The CM stated that no organization or individual should take undue advantage of the government’s policy of non-confrontation, and requested all to refrain from creating lawlessness. “If anyone is aggrieved by any act of the government, he/she can approach the Court of law to redress the grievances, but not through violent attitude or actions,” he said.
“In a Christian state, let us try to live as good Christians, so as to make our land peaceful, and leave behind a good example to our posterity,” the CM appealed.
The Nagaland CM also stated that there is no question of withdrawal of candidature after the expiry of withdrawal date on January 17. He lamented that some organizations have forced the candidates to sign bonds not to contest the poll even after the expiry of withdrawal.
“Election will go on whether there is bandh or no bandh or agitation there or not,” he said, adding that on polling day everybody should be allowed to vote. He further stated that if there are any problems like zero vote or people unable to cast their vote, re-polls would be conducted. “If anybody tries to disrupt the process of the election, the security force will take action on spot,” he said.
Zeliang further stated that the government does not wish to have a confrontation with the agitating groups. He however pointed out that the government would protect the democratic rights of the people.
He also claimed that by and large people were supportive towards conduct of polls to Urban Local Bodies, while lamenting that a section of people are misleading the masses.
The Chief Minister further questioned “why can we not look forward for the betterment of our society?” “Let us not only look back, but look at the present situation of modern society,” he stated.
The CM said that “before British entered in our land woman/children are not allowed to be present in any customary court, but today, Naga women are the judges of our district courts, and settle many cases of ours.”
He then reminded that during the debate on women reservations in municipal and town councils, the tribal organizations, particularly the APO and the Ao Senden, requested the government to remove provisions relating to taxation on land and buildings, and also the provisions relating to SC reservation. Heeding their requests, the Nagaland Municipal Third Amendment Act, 2016 was passed in December, 2016 session of the Nagaland’s Legislative Assembly removing the taxation and Scheduled Caste reservation provisions from the original Act.
The CM also stated that the government is on the right side of law and Constitution. “The tribal organizations may have a rethink on their aggressive path so that rule of law and the Constitution prevail in the state,” he said.
The decision to conduct polls was opposed by many Naga tribe organizations, he stated, while pointing out that some of these organizations are of the opinion that article 243T relating to women reservation compromises the customary law position of Nagaland under Article 371(1) (a) of the Constitution of India. He reminded that in order to dispel misapprehensions, a consultative meeting with the Naga Hoho, ENPO and other tribe organizations was held in Kohima on November 16, 2016.
The misgivings on the women reservation issue however continued. “The government cannot interfere with the process of elections already set in motion, which is under the direction, supervision and superintendence of the State Election Commission,” the CM stated.
He said the cabinet decided not to interfere with the poll schedule as originally slated by the State Election Commissioner and to give full support to the State Election Commissioner in completing the poll process. The cabinet, he added, has also decided to keep the doors open for dialogue with the tribal organizations.
