Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): Tribal hohos from Nagaland have submitted a seven-point resolution to the Chief Minister of Nagaland demanding a review and rewriting of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The resolution, adopted at a consultative meeting in Kohima on March 27, called for any part or section of the Act that infringes on Article 371-A to be reviewed and rewritten in complete consonance with the voice of the Naga people.
In the resolution, a copy of which was issued to the media on Monday, the hohos justified its demands by stating that the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001is a “borrowed Act” and it therefore, should be reviewed and rewritten in the context of the Naga people. It also called for the substitution of the word "omission/omitted" with "deletion/deleted" in subsequent amendments of the Act regarding Land and Building Taxation and Scheduled Caste, and in sections wherever they occur.
The tribal hohos further asserted that the reservation of the office of the Chairperson for women is a deprivation provision to the rightful candidate and should be totally revoked. Instead, the elected members should be able to democratically elect the rightful candidate who is a Scheduled Tribe Indigenous Inhabitant of Nagaland to the office of the Chairperson from among themselves, be it man or woman.
Additionally, the resolution demanded that the Government of Nagaland guarantee that the "33% Women Reservation" does not infringe on Article 371-A before conducting the Urban Local Body (ULB) election. The tribal hohos also suggested that the duration of the application of 33% Women Reservation should not exceed more than two tenures, while demanding that the government specifically clarify on the time that the reservation would be in place.
The tribal hohos cautioned that until and unless the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 is reviewed and rewritten, the ULB election should be deferred. “If the government fails to adhere to the demands, the tribal hohos shall be compelled to boycott the ULB elections.” However, if the demands are timely fulfilled, the tribal hohos assured the fullest cooperation to the government in the conduct of ULB elections.
The resolution document was appended by fifteen signatories including Lotha Hoho President Er Mhondamo Ovung; Ao Senden President Chubawati Longchar; Angami Public Organisation Razouvotuo Chatsu; Kohima Lotha Hoho Chairman C Pankathung Lotha; Chakhesang Public Organisation President Vezühü Keyho; Sumi Hoho President I Nikheto Jimomi; Pochury Hoho President Chonpa Jurry; Rengma Hoho President Pollem Tep; K Gwaniho Himb of Tenyimi Peoples' Organisation; Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation (NZPO) President Kevipele Iheilung; Central Nagaland Tribe’s Council President T Lanu Imchen; Lotha Hoho General Secretary S Abenthung Ngullie; NZPO member Gaigwang, KT Vilie; and Sumi Hoho general Secretary Dr Vihuto Asumi.
Meanwhile, the hohos also directed the respective tribal hohos and the frontal organisations to oversee and ensure that no nominations are filed in their respective jurisdictions till the government fulfills the demands.
“Any person or persons violating the resolutions of the Tribal Hohos, he/she shall be dealt with appropriate action as per respective customary laws,” stated a letter appended by sessional chairman KT Vilie and sessional secretary Dr Vihuto Asumi.
The Government of Nagaland should bring to the knowledge of the concerned people and groups the report of the JIC (Joint Inquiry Commission) report of January 31, 2017 Dimapur incident where two persons were killed, it added.
