Dimapur, May 25 (EMN): In a first of its kind, various Naga intellectuals have converged under one common platform to deliberate on the special provision guaranteed to the Naga people under Article 371 (A), wherein they have spelled their opinions on various aspects concerning the Act.
The discussion took place during a seminar on Article 371(A) cum 1st general meeting of government recognised NGOs in Nagaland conducted on May 25 at NEISSER’s conference hall. The programme was organised by Peace Channel, NEISSR, NACWR and NGO forum with an objective to impart the main concept of Article 371(A).
The programme was chaired by Dr. Hasheto Chishi, director of Indigenous cultural Society. Altogether 107 participants attended for the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, resource person Dr. Luhevi Achumi, district and session judge (Retd) and Head GB of Luhevi village, shared on the legal perspectives on Article 371 (A). According to him, four special provisions were provided to the Nagas under the Article 371(A) viz. religious on social practices of the Nagas, Nagas customary law and procedure, administration of civil and communal justice involving decision according to Naga customary law, ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
He elucidated that during the olden days, the Naga customary laws were used in settling cases or issues, yet the people have became ignorant and were not aware of the customary law.
Monalisa Changkija, Editor of Nagaland Page, speaking on her perspective, said that Article 371(A) is completely silent with the economic factor. She said there was no provision under Article 371 (A) on how the state can formulate the economy of the state. She also mentioned that Article 371 (A) protects culture, customary laws. She, however, stated that Article 371(A) does not have anything on electoral laws stating that nowhere it was mentioned that the village authority or the GBs can select a candidate for election to the state assembly, which the Nagas are practicing, which are contrary or against the people’s representative Act.
She further elucidated that the Naga women were marginalised for centuries, adding only men are privy to resources from the state, central, clans, tribal, land ownership etc. She added that the women will get economic empowerment and the political power only when their rights and entitlements are provided.
Speaking on the beneficiaries’ perspective, president of GBs’ Federation, Salim Konyak, recounted the journey of the Naga’s struggle and how the Article 371(A) came into being. He stated that the Nagas bought the Article 371 (A) with blood.
Speaking on the respondent perspective, Savi Liegise, former president of Naga Council, has termed Article 371(A) as a legal matter. He stated that Article 371 (A) is as good as independence but it has not been implemented in any logic as none has tasted the Article 371 (A) in its true perspective. Savi said that Article 371 (A) is not to wage war with the government but to safeguard the Nagas as a whole.
Speaking on the observer perspective, advocate, Limanokchet, stated that Article 371 (A) is a living words and not just a written documents, He also emphasised on women issues, taxation issues, judicial over-reach, marriage act etc.
Also speaking on the rights of women, Nungshirenla Aier, advisor of Naga Women Council, stated that women are limited to the kitchen and looked down upon. She has advocated empowering women to protect their own rights both in socio-political status.
The programme was moderated by Dr. Fr. CP Anto, director of Peace Channel and principal of NEISSR. He concluded the session with a challenged to each woman to come out of the cocoon and bring a changed. He also encouraged the participants to educate the people by educating themselves first.
