Nagaland govt likely to convince tribal bodies on reservation

Even as the apex tribal bodies in Nagaland has served an ultimatum against the government's decision to hold election to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with 33 per cent women reservation, the state government is likely to take steps to convince them to accept the decision.
Chief Minister T R Zeliang said this on the side-lines of the Legislators' Pre-Christmas celebration at the state banquet hall here.
He said that a cabinet meeting would be held tomorrow to discuss the 15-day ultimatum served on Saturday by the Naga Hoho and Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation to restore the September, 2012 resolution that excluded women reservation in ULBs.

Zeliang said that the meeting would also request the legislators to approach their respective tribal bodies and make them understand the reasons behind the government step.
He reiterated that the government had on several occasions tried to convince the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) to withdraw their court case on the issue but it has failed.
The Naga Hoho should now convince the NMA, he said.

Nagaland Assembly on November 24 revoked the September, 2012, resolution exempting the state from implementing 33 per cent women reservation in ULBs, a Constitutional provision, angering some groups.
The resolution was revoked after NMA moved the Supreme Court against it.

The resolution had been passed by the state Assembly by applying Article 243(T), Part IX A of the Constitution, dealing with reservation of seats in municipalities.
The House has been of the opinion that the Article infringed upon Art 371A which deals with certain special provisions with respect to the state of Nagaland.