Dimapur, Jan. 20: To protest the conduct of elections to urban local bodies with 33% reservation for women in Nagaland, the apex Naga tribe hohos and other civil organisations have called for what is expected to be a massive public rally on January 23 next at the State Stadium, Dimapur.
The rally, scheduled to start at 11 a.m. will proceed from the stadium to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, where the leaders are expected are submit a memorandum to the government. This decision was taken at a public meeting held on Friday at Lotha Hoho Ki, Dimapur.
Convened by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of five tribes formed to oppose the ULB elections, the meeting today was attended by representatives of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization, Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho, Lotha Hoho, Chakhesang Public Organization, GBs Association Dimapur, Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Forum, Central Nagaland Tribes’ Council (CNTC), other civil organisations and some of the candidates who have withdrawn their nomination papers.
JCC members told reporters that on the day of the rally, three tribes – Angami, Ao and Sumi – would mobilise at least five thousand members each from their respective communities. The Lothas would mobilise three thousand of their own and the Chakhesangs and ENPO, one thousand each. Other communities, including non-Nagas, were also welcome to participate in the rally, it was informed.
2 women in Dimapur back down
The JCC members also informed that two more intending candidates, both women, to the Dimapur Municipal Council elections have decided to walk out of the race. They were said to be Temsulemla, an Independent candidate for Ward 1 and NPF candidate, Kereilhouvi Pfukha of Ward 23.
“We acknowledge and congratulate them for voluntarily withdrawing themselves from the fray. We also appeal the other candidates who are in the fray to withdraw their candidatures at the earliest,” one of the co-conveners of JCC said.
He also said that the “course of action to be taken on those who have failed to respond to the calls (for withdrawal)” would be announced soon.
Three from Wokha withdraw candidature
Compliance to the demand of the Lotha Hoho and the Joint Action Committee, three women candidates including two from NPF and one from BJP have withdrawn their candidature in the larger interest of the Lotha public.
NPF candidates Nyanbeni of Ward 15 and Nzanbeni Kithan of Ward 12 along with BJP candidate Yanchibeni K Khuvung of Ward 12 have decided to withdraw their candidature during a joint meeting of all Lotha frontal organisations which was jointly convened by the Lotha Hoho and the Joint Action Committee today at Wokha Town Hall. All the council members of colony and ward members along with neighbouring village members were present at the meeting.
The joint meeting was held with all the intending candidates for the upcoming ULB elections to convince them resign from contesting the elections in the larger interest of the Lotha public.
