Consequent upon the resolution adopted by the Kohima Village Council meeting held on 29 February 2012 in regard to the 323 % Women Reservation, we would like to draw your attention to the following facts and urge for immediate necessary action.
1. That Sir, we would fail in our responsibility without appraising your honor with our observation and reasoning as to why we have taken this intransigent stand against the state government while we agree that it is the prerogative of the state government to formulate any rule and regulation. However, in this context, the council is strongly of the view that there are certain issues in which the people should be taken into confidence and be consulted first, since the land and its resources belongs to the people and not the government.
2. It may be mentioned that Kohima is God given land bestowed upon the Kohima villagers, apparently, our land was given to the Naga people to do good things and live in peace and unity with common understanding.
3. The KVC maintained that reservation itself is a discrimination and thus depriving the democratic rights of the men folks in their own ancestral land which was earned from time immemorial through bloodshed, moreover, it goes against our way of living and consequently it will wide\n the gap between men and women.
4. The government decision to enforce 33% women reservation will definetly destroys the very fabric of the Naga society. Hence, the KVC appeals to the government to protect and uphold the Article 371 (A) of the constitution which provides for special privileges in regard to (i) religion or Social practices of the Nagas (ii) Naga customary law and procedure etc.
5. It is to be noted that Naga women are not discriminated in any manner, fortunately in our society caste, untouchablity, sati and class system unknown to us. Therefore, the KVC wonders, as to why 33 % women reservation is required, when they are neither scheduled nor excluded from the purview of 100 % equality with men.
6. Under Article 371 (A) of the constitution “Liberty is given to the Nagas to choose or reject any law formulated by Indian parliament if it does not suit our social and customary practices. Therefore, in such juncture, government needs to be judiciously and dispassionately exercised it’s statutory, keeping in view of the larger public interest rather than political slogan.
7. As we are well aware that parliament has passed the 74th Amendment Act, with effect from 1st June 1993, in which it provides 33 % reservation for women in all Municipal and town council. In-spite of the special privileges provided to us in the Indian Constitution, our state is one of the first to implement when many other states in India are yet to implement. Therefore, in this episode of 33 % women reservation both ruling and opposition are equally responsible for the menace, at the same time both the political parties are answerable to Naga public. Why? Because it is the congress who put the bullet into the barrel of the gun and the ruling party pulled the trigger in order to woo the women folk’s voters, leaving behind the interest of the Nagas.
8. Indeed, a government is not for itself but it is for the citizen, hence, the KVC appeals to the government to honor and respect the popular voice of the Nagas. In view of the above mentioned facts and in the larger interest of the citizens of the state capital it is imperative and duty bound on the part of KVC to give a clarion call that under any circumstances the Kohima Municipal Council election shall not be held till reservation is revoked.
Therefore, considering our contention as substantiated above the KVC appeal to the government to revoke the Act during this on goi9ng assembly session and also take immediate step in installing a popular Municipal and Town councils in all earnestness. However, in the event of failing to comply to our demand the Kohima Villagers may be compelled to demonstrate/exhibit its displeasure.
Razoupfelie Kire, General Secretary, Kohima Village Council
Vilhouzhalie Dzüvichü, Chairman, Kohima Village Council
