Nagaland ULB polls: Zeliang urges tribal orgs to withdraw

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang today appealed Naga tribal organisations imposing bandhs and other forms of agitations opposing the February 1 elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), not to take advantage of the non-confrontational attitude of the government.
"The state government, without taking a confronting attitude with anyone, will carry out its constitutional obligation and ensure that free and fair polls are conducted to the Municipal and Town Councils with 33 per cent women reservation," Zeliang said while addressing a press conference here.
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising of apex tribal bodies in the state had called for a statewide bandh yesterday, only to resume tomorrow and continue till the day of elections demanding that the ULB elections should not be held with women reservation as it infringes the special provision guaranteed to the Naga people under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

The tribal organisations did not allow candidates to file nominations, including Kohima and Mokokchung Municipal Councils and Tuensang Town Council during yesterday's bandh.
Zeliang said the government was constitutionally bound to perform its duty and complete the scheduled election process incorporating Article 243T of the Constitution in the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.
He said "Bandh or no bandh by Naga tribal organisations, the government will go ahead with holding the the elections to ULBs. They should allow people to exercise their democratic rights."
Nagaland Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar, who was also present during the press conference, replying to a query on snapping of mobile data services in the state because of the present situation, said a committee headed by the Home Commissioner was observing the situation in all districts.