Kohima, January 2 (MExN): The Chief Minister of Nagaland has appealed to the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) to extend its cooperation in peaceful conduct of elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) which has been set in motion.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated today that the Government of Nagaland is “clear” that neither the Nagaland municipal (3rd amendment) Act 2016 nor the reservation of seats for women does in any way infringe upon Article 371-A of the Constitution of India, and the State Government “stands by this.”
With reference to a letter submitted by the ENPO on the Nagaland Municipal issue, the CMO clarified today that the ultimatum dated December 10, 2016, submitted by the Naga Hoho and the ENPO was received and the issue was discussed in the cabinet meeting held on December 13, 2016.
“The cabinet felt that it could be in the best interest of the State to go ahead with the elections to the ULBs, rather than wait for the court verdict on the issue,” the CMO noted.
However, keeping in mind the ultimatum by the two apex bodies, a meeting was convened with representatives of the Naga Hoho and the ENPO at the Chief Minister’s residence at Dimapur on December 17, 2016, where the Cabinet, Parliamentary Secretaries and other Legislators were present, informed the CMO.
As per the CMO statement, the position of the government and the need to hold elections was again explained and reiterated. “It was felt that all the issues raised were amply clarified on that day and the matter has been understood by all present. The announcement of dates for holding the municipal and town councils were hence issued only on 21st Dec 2016 after the meeting of 17th Dec 2016,” stated the CMO.
The Office thus noted that the Government has “neither ignored nor did it have the intention to sideline the ultimatum submitted by the Naga Hoho and the ENPO. However, if any misunderstanding has been created on this count it is deeply regretted.”
