Jalukiezangdi, January 31 (MExN): Minister of Planning and Coordination, T.R. Zeliang today called upon the village councils and tribal hohos to uphold Article 371 (A) of the constitution of India, especially with regard to transfer of land and its resource and practice of Naga customary laws, and support the resolutions passed by the state assembly on Oil and Natural gas.
T.R. Zeliang was addressing the public at Jalukiezangdi during the inauguration of new Village Council Hall, according to a press release. He said the government of India has given maximum freedom to Nagas under 371 (A) “which is akin to sovereignty and therefore now it is up to the Naga people to make use of this special provision for benefits of the Nagas.”
“India also gave us freedom to practice our customary laws under Article 371 (A) which is effective in controlling crime and is also cost effective unlike other Indian laws,” T.R.Zeliang declared. “Therefore, as a custodian of customary laws village council should run the village as per Naga customary laws," he asserted. He also asserted the need to codify and make uniform Naga customary laws so that it will be more effective and applicable throughout the state. Practice and preservation of customary laws will also protect unique history of the Nagas, he added.
He further suggested that village councils should attempt to settle any dispute and control crime through customary laws, instead of spending huge amount of money on legal battles. T.R. Zeliang also called upon the village to make judicious use of the money and schemes provided by the government and have proper planning for the development of village.
