Tribal bodies at loggerheads with state govt on ULB polls

The ensuing elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in Nagaland slated for February 1 have brought the tribal organisations at loggerheads with the state government on the issue of 33 per cent reservation to women.
The State Election Commission had on December 21, 2016 notified that general election to municipal and town councils in the state will be held on February 1 with 33 per cent reservation for women.
The apex body of tribal organisations, Naga Hoho, and Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) had submitted a 15-day ultimatum to the government to revoke its decision.
And as the government stands firm on its decision, the tribal organisations including Angami Public Organisation (APO), Kohima Village Council, and Ao Senden and Sumi Hoho have resolved to oppose the government decision while Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) and other bodies are to discuss the issue tomorrow.

APO, which has its jurisdiction in Kohima and Dimapur district, the two major municipal councils in the state, in a statement accused the government of announcing the elections "in utter disregard of the wishes of the Naga people".
The APO, in a statement issued by its president Dr Vilhusa Seleyi and vice president K T Vilie, has appealed the state government to provide "space" to the people of Nagaland to come to an understanding in sharing views and suggestions (with regard to conduct of polls with 33 per cent women reservation).

It reiterated, that till such time the "needed space was provided" for amendment and necessary and clear-cut safeguard to Article 371A, the APO resolved to "not allow conducting election to municipal and town councils in Angami territories (Dimapur and Kohima districts)."

The APO also appealed to "all political parties, from nominating any candidate and individuals to refrain from filing for the aforementioned elections."
Supporting APO's resolution, the Angami Youth Organisation
(AYO) has appealed political parties and intending candidates to refrain from filing nomination till an amicable understanding is reached between the state government and various Naga civil societies.
AYO president Neinguvotuo Krose and vice president Peter Rutsa said AYO will be boycotting the elections to ULBs within Angami jurisdiction and that it is prepared "to go to any extent to uphold the stand of APO."
"In case of any untoward incident, AYO will hold the government responsible for any damage or loss of property and life," AYO said.

Ao Senden, along with Landowners and All Ward Union of Mokokchung district today reaffirmed their stand to not let conduct the Municipal and Town Council elections at the said district.
Senden's acting President C Angang Jamir and Secretary L Tally Longkumer in a release said the Senden has the state government on previous many occasions to remove certain clauses of the Municipal and Town Council Act which contradicts the Ao customary laws and rights of the Aos.
However, they lamented that till date the state government has not given any response to the Aos in this matter and therefore decided to ban the conduct of the said election.

Maintaining that the decision to ban the election was taken with a view to protect the identity of not only the Aos but also the entire Nagas, the Senden has forbidden any Ao citizen from contesting in the said election even outside the district.
Sumi Hoho under Zunheboto district in a circular issued by its vice president Khehoshe Yepthomi and general secretary Vihuto Asumi said the existing Municipal Act with 33 per cent women reservation have many discrepancies that have the potential to have an adverse impact on the future of the community and the state.
"The Act also is a direct infringement of the Article 371(A) of the Constitution which has a special provision safeguarding the rights of the Nagas," the circular said.