As published in ‘The Telegraph’, dated Tuesday, 7 Feb. 2017, His Excellency, P.B. Acharya, Governor of Nagaland, remarkably advised our CM and his cabinet “to take steps to revoke the Assembly resolution” which ensures 33% reservation for women in ULB polls instead of moving the Central government to do what can be legally accomplished by the NLA. It further reported that in the one-and-a-half hour meet with CM & Co., our Governor suggested that “they consult our legal team and revoke the 2016 Assembly resolution” since “the state assembly is empowered to do so” and that there is no necessity to go to the Centre.
For a gubernatorial of his learned calibre, that is simple wisdom! While we earnestly acknowledge his effort to resolve the issue then, we are yet to witness any positive action from our state government although Nagas are still crying for justice to be delivered without question. Apart from this, the Nagaland Municipal Act all in all, require thorough deliberation and amendment which otherwise, will always be a thorn in the flesh even in future.
The truth of the matter is that there can never be any discord or argument in battles on rights of Nagas against Indian constitutional laws so long Article 371A endows exceptional authority to our people. In the old Law Book, Article 371A “provides that no Act of Parliament in respect of religious or social practices of Nagas, Naga customary laws... shall apply to the state of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland so decides.” That is more than enough to end all impasse, anytime.
Infamously, our government turned a deaf ear to the people’s appeal for justice in regard to our democratic rights. That indeed, was when things went awry, the state machinery came to a grinding halt and so also, Nagas as a whole. It is now, time for the stalemate to end by all means and it is for our government to act judiciously if, leaders as they are, accept the fact that democracy in any government is of, for and by the people.
This article is only a conclusion of the earlier piece by the writer, published by local dailies some days ago and as such, fervently wish we stand for our democratic rights through justifiable discipline on the platform of unity. It is in anticipation of contentment to our plea that our elected leaders remain committed for Nagas, never to barter our rights for temporary ‘wants’ and also that, our state’s executive head continue to render all possible aid to Nagas in such times. Meantime, let us settle our internal issues by ourselves in true spirit of unity!
Thejangukho Yalietsu,
Medziphema
