DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 19 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) today stated that it is not a registered organization under the Home Department or any other government and that it has no “vested political agenda.” The NTC, through its media cell, issued this statement in response to comments in the results of the recent opinion poll conducted by this newspaper. The NTC refuted allegations that it is being “co-opted by the Government.” “Since Nagaland has more than one government, which government the accuser means is not indicated. Yet, whichever government he/she means, the NTC vehemently denies such affiliation,” it clarified.
It further informed that the Nagaland Area and Village Council Act of 1978 was amended in 2009 as the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978. The NTC said that the Act provides avenue for all tribe organizations to get itself registered as the State Government Agency under the Home Department. “Those organizations registered under the Act or received pecuniary grants or assistance to hold tribal festivals and any other assistance deemed fit, under section 27 of the Act may be considered co-opted by the State Government,” it added.
The NTC then termed allegation that it has “vested political agenda” as a “serious and malicious attack on the Council.” “The NTC has its own Constitution and it functions within the laid down parameters. The NTC is never a political organization nor has any affiliation with any political body,” it affirmed.
It reminded that the NTC was launched on October 12, 2013 and stated that during the three calendar years, it has “normally placed its activities in the public domain so as this platform belongs to the Nagas of Nagaland.”
“On presumption that the accuser has prima facie against the NTC,” it stated that a platform for the NTC and “those baiters” to have a democratic and healthy debate and interaction “will be an opportunity for NTC to learn from constructive criticism and take necessary corrective measures from those critical but conscious accusers.”
