Morung Express News
Mangkolemba | December 9
Mangkolemba ADC Headquarters celebrated its 25th anniversary here today with Chief Minister TR Zeliang as the chief guest.
Mangkolemba ADC Hq, which is one of the biggest sub-divisions in Nagaland, today looks after three ranges under Mokokchung district – Jangpetkong, Tsurangkong and Japukong range – which in the words of Dr Longri, Chairman, DAN & NBRM ‘covers almost fifty percent of Mokokchung district’.
Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, while speaking at the programme, made an impassioned speech about town councils, municipalities, Article 371 (A) and women reservations.
He disclosed that the migration from the villages to towns is at 66 percent in Nagaland. Implying that the number of urban population is growing, the Chief Minister, however, lamented that the urban population in small towns are ‘sandwiched’ between the urban and rural world.
He said that the villages, under the VDB or Rural Development, are receiving funds for their development. But the towns and municipalities, because of the failure to conduct the municipal and town council elections due to the 33 percent reservation and other issues, the towns are ‘sandwiched’ in a state between stagnation and want of development.
He lamented how far the Naga people would go on, denying urban development, keeping in view the stagnation of the urban development for the past decade.
Questioning customary laws, the CM pointed out that there is already 25 percent reservation in the Village Development Board (VDB) accepted by the villages which the Government agreed to; therefore, he wondered what harm 33 percent reservation in the municipalities or town councils would do to Naga customary laws under Article 371 (A).
He nonetheless asserted that Article 371 (A) is the most important act in the Indian constitution for the Naga people. However, he cautioned that if the Naga people are not careful with regard to its interpretation then it would lead to more problems.
The CM lamented that today Article 371 (A) is being invoked in every issue, and that a time might come when the very Article 371 (A) might become valueless. About 33 percent reservation, he disclosed that the Nagaland government listened to the objections raised by certain civil societies about ‘land and house tax’ and about ‘Scheduled Caste’ in the Municipal Act; the same was amended in ‘November’.
‘What is good for the people, we are here to do good for the people. What is not good for the people, we are ready to amend it,” said the CM.
He therefore strongly asserted that the state government’s decision to go ahead with the municipal and town council elections is not based on individual or vested interests but keeping in mind the greater interest of the Naga people. “Let us go ahead with town council elections…let us march ahead with progress,” said the CM. Earlier in the programme, Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Benjongliba Aier delivered the welcome address while MLA, Dr Longri; ADC Mokokchung, Bendanglila and Ex Minister, Tiameren delivered short speeches.
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