Seeks amendment of Municipal Act 2001 and re-examination of Rongmei recognition issue
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 14 (MExN): A nine member delegation comprising of Naga Hoho executives and presidents and colleagues of the Angami Public Organization (APO) and Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) called on Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang seeking re-examination of the Municipal Act of 2001 and the Rongmei recognition issue. During the meeting, the Naga Hoho submitted two representations to the CM.
‘Amend Municipal Act 2001’
On the Municipal Act of 2001, the Naga Hoho memorandum pointed out points in contravention with rights guaranteed under Article 371(A): (a) 33% women reservation, (b) Tax and (c) landholding system.
Regarding women’s reservation, the Naga Hoho reiterated the “time immemorial social, customary and traditional usages of the Nagas where no such reservation was practiced by our fore fathers.” It opined that the Nagaland State Government “should not compare Naga women to Dalit, Adivasi, Sutra, Kaas women etc.” The reservation policy of the Government of India is meant “for mainstream Indian women who are within the cursed spell of the caste system,” it claimed. “Given the factual status of the Naga women comparing with Indian women in toto, our women folk rather play a vital role in all spheres of the Naga community,” it added. Meanwhile, the Naga Hoho pointed out that Section 120 of the act provides the power to impose inter alia land and building tax within its limit of municipality or town council. It cautioned that “multiple taxation or the different forms of taxes under Municipal Act will be contested strongly by the Nagas against the traditional and the conventional usage of taxation in our land.” “Imposition and collection of tax on land and building by the municipality as a form of revenue generating source for its duties and functions will only do more harm to our Naga society,” it opined.
Regarding land holding system, the Naga Hoho stated that the “pride of the individual Naga in having the authority to judiciously use and develop his land should not discarded.”
It cautioned that if the government fails to amend the Municipal Act and goes ahead with the ULB elections without proper consultations, “unwanted situation” would arise in the state, “which will widen the division among various sections of society.”
‘Re-examine Rongmei recognition issue’
Regarding the Rongmei recognition issue, the Naga Hoho asked the CM to keep in mind that any such issue should not jeopardize unity of the Naga family. “We urge your competent authority to re-examine the decision of the state government through the constituted cabinet sub-committee on Rongmei issue in depth and find out the solution in consultation with all stake holders/tribe Hohos at the earliest,” it added.
In a 2008 letter to the government, the Naga Hoho had viewed in favour of granting Indigenous Naga inhabitant status to Rongmei community settled in the state prior to the formation of Nagaland state as enjoyed by Kukis, Garos and Kacharis in accordance with the Government Notification No.AR-8/76 Dated-the 28th April, 1977. It had also opined that the committee should “examine with all seriousness in regard to conduct of enumeration and to include only the eligible Rongmei community so as to avoid communal misgivings in future.”
It lamented that despite repeated clarifications, the letter written to the government in 2008 and the position of the Naga Hoho “is being misconstrued.”
