Morung Express News
Kohima | January 24
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today expressed disappointment that despite changing mindsets in the world, Nagaland still continues to tussle over women’s reservation.
Speaking during the National Girl Child Day observation in Kohima today, Zeliang spoke of his visit to Kerala which has 55 percent reservation for women in urban local bodies. He stated that reservation was provided through the people’s demand after witnessing that women performed better than men in their daily performances in municipalities.
“But today we try to implement this 33 percent reservation for women, men went against that. Women were influenced to go against the reservation. Before we took up this matter in the assembly, we had a meeting in this very hall for consultation with Naga Hoho, ENPO and every tribe organization,” he said.
During the consultation, the organizations and tribal bodies were asked on what they wanted to change in the Municipal Act, Zeliang informed. He added that the Ao Senden had asked for removal of land and building tax from the act, to which the government agreed.
The Angami Public Organisation (APO) meanwhile wanted the term Scheduled Caste to be removed. “We removed it. And I said, in this very platform, ‘Government will not impose any tax henceforth, let the town council propose whatever tax they want to levy from the people, and only government will give approval. This was taken to the Assembly and they have amended,” he stated.
He further lamented that the ENPO and the Lotha Hoho had initially welcomed 33% reservation but later changed their stand.
“So tomorrow, if we make any policy for the Girl child, today you may appreciate, but tomorrow you may object. We need to go forward with change of mindsets. With the change of time, we need to change our mindsets,” he said.
The Nagaland CM urged the people of Nagaland, tribe organisations and the groups opposing women’s reservation to reconsider their stand and said, “even if they cannot change their views and opinions on the issue, I request them to at least not try to impose their views and opinions on others through threat and intimidation.”
He added that despite the much talked about Article 371 A, in the prevalent situation some tribe organizations have started taking certain action against their own brothers and sisters. Zeliang viewed that such action “is not in our customary system.”
“Let us not misuse our unique customary system which is well crafted with great wisdom and handed down to us by our ancestors. As freedom loving people living in modern civilized society, let us respect each other’s views and opinion and refrain from taking the law into our hands,” he urged.
SEC says polls cannot be stopped
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 24 (MExN): The Nagaland State Election Commission today stated that the election process for the ULB polls, which got underway from December 21, 2016 “cannot be stopped/postponed/deferred.” In a letter to the Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the SEC stated that “the entire electoral process once set in motion has to be taken to its logical conclusion. Therefore the SEC has no alternative but to complete the electoral process as announced.” This was in response to the Joint Coordination Committee’s memorandum calling for deferment of the polls, which was referred to the SEC by the Chief Minister.
ENWO appeals for conduct of ULB polls
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 24 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) has appealed to the various organisations opposing the ULBs elections, to reconsider their stand and let the elections take place peacefully. The ENWO, in a press note, asked the ENPO, ENLU, ENGOA and the ENSF and tribe leaders to “stand by their women till the process of elections is over” as “women need their blessings and support to be able to take to take the mantle of leadership roles in the form of Town Councillors.”
The ENWO urged “Naga brothers who are opposed to Women’s Reservation to change their attitude towards women and start respecting their Mothers through whom they came,” and termed it “shocking for a Christian society like the Nagas that unchristian methods like banishment and excommunication of the candidates is taking place.”
“If our Naga Men truly respect their women, they must support the Reservation policy for Women in the ULBs because: Reservation of seats is the right instrument to empower women in the state as the power of decision making and leadership in society plays a vital role to empower a voice that is being constantly suppressed,” it added.
The ENWO further said that reservation for women will “also encourage and instil confidence in our women. Unless Reservation is granted, they would hesitate to come forward.” It lamented that in a 60 member assembly, not a single member is a woman “and yet we still claim that men and women are treated equally in Nagaland.”
It stated that women’s participation in the municipality level local self Government will enable better understanding of women’s problems, facilitating their uplift, will be helpful in handling matters like hygiene, sanitation, health, waste management and other civic issues.
Equal participation of every section of the society in the administrative process, especially at local level, such as a municipality is essential to a progressive society, the ENWO stated.
It further stated that “in a society where the concept of patriarchy has been deeply rooted, it becomes close to impossible for any woman to contest against a man.” Therefore, it reasoned that the concept of reservation is important for truly empowering women in the state.
