Dimapur, March 28 (MExN): The NNC (Parent Body) today condemned what it termed as “India’s imposition of Urban and Local Body Election which is timed to coincide with the 72 years Anniversary of the Naga National Plebiscite Day on 16th May 2023.”
“The Plebiscite day is a Naga National Day and therefore, the Nagas will observe and celebrate this day, as 72 years ago 99.9% of Nagas voted in the form of thumb impression in favour of Naga Independence as a people and nation,” maintained a press release from Zhiongba Yimkhiung, Vice President, NNC.
“We firmly uphold the democratic rights of this Referendum (Plebiscite) which is known to the world at large but also particularly known to the Government or India and Burma (Military Junta of Myanmar),” it said.
“The Plebiscite of 16th May 1951 will always remain as our political and democratic right as long as the earth exist and will be celebrated by the Naga people as a sovereign nation in this part of the region,” it added.
Accordingly, it appealed to all the Naga people to refrain from participating in the proposed election and termed it coincidence with Plebiscite Day as “an insult and disrespect to the Naga people as a whole in toto.”
“Instead, the Government or India should settle the Naga political problem with dignity and honour for peaceful co-existence and development in the region,” it added.
It must be noted here that the 1st session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 28 passed a bill to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 “in toto with immediate effect” thus nullifying the need for elections.
