Kohima, Jan. 9: Even as the State Election Commissioner had extended the day for filing nominations to the urban local bodies’ elections till Monday, no candidate across the state came forward to register their nominations.
Following the request made by the state government to the State Election Commissioner on January 7 last, another day was extended; however, the story remained the same in all the municipal councils till 3 pm today, the last hour for filing of nominations.
The filing of nominations to the ULB elections was hampered as various tribe bodies remained adamantly strong in boycotting the municipal elections with 33% women reservation in its present form.
Here at Kohima, not even a single candidate, irrespective of any party, could file his/her nomination papers even today. The intending candidates were stopped from filing their nomination papers as the Angami Public Organisation (APO), the apex organisation of Angami tribe and the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) continued with their boycott till 3.30 pm today.
From January 3, AYO has been picketing the office of the deputy commissioner, Kohima, while the youth body enforced a total bandh on January 7 last. As for today, the youth body maintained relaxation in imposing only a partial bandh.
From TCP gate traffic point till North PS junction, pedestrian and vehicular movement was totally restricted, while all business establishments within the restricted area also pulled down their shutters, with exception for pharmacies and eateries.
All educational institutions as well as students attending classes and examinations were exempt from the purview of the bandh. Unlike Saturday, pedestrian and vehicular movement was allowed in other areas of the town.
Responding to APO’s call, thousands of AYO volunteers from all Angami villages thronged the capital town even today. The youth volunteers were made to assemble in different points within the restricted area. The situation remained peaceful throughout the day.
Addressing the AYO volunteers later in the evening, APO president Dr Vilhusa Seleyi thanked them for their relentless effort in responding to the call of APO in this difficult time.
“The efforts and sacrifices you have rendered will go a long way in safeguarding the rights and interests of the Nagas,” he told the volunteers, some of whom have been there starting from day-one of the boycott call.
The APO also appreciated the district administration, police personnel for not coming out with any aggressive tactics and actions against the volunteers. AYO president Neinguvotuo Krose also lauded the participation and cooperation of the youth members. He particular thanked the youth volunteers from various colonies of Kohima town for taking part in the boycott call.
Interacting with media persons, the APO president described the boycott movement on the ULB elections as successful. “We have achieved what we want. The people’s voice is so powerful and we have shown that with this movement,” Seleyi said adding that the NGO leaders were there to serve the people and to speak on their rights.
He reiterated that the movement initiated by APO and AYO on 33% women reservation at Kohima was not only for the Angamis, but the Nagas as a whole. He regretted that the APO’s meeting with chief minister TR Zeliang could not end up with any concrete resolution.
“Our attitude is quite different from each other. They (politicians) have the concern how best they can protect their own chair, while our concept is how best we can serve the Nagas by protecting our rights and interests,” he remarked.
Replying to a query whether the APO will stick to it resolution on those Angami intending candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Chumukedima and Dimapur, Dr Seleyi opted to directly speak on the actions to be taken.
He said: “All the APO members and the Angami people in general are hoping that they (candidates) will realize the value of unity and obedience. I am sure everyone will respect the guidelines and resolutions adopted by APO.”
On Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) taking it to the Supreme Court, the APO president stated that the issue on women reservation could be settled within our (Naga) own community and our own kitchen.
“We need not go to the court. It is so dangerous. We can settle it from within our own community and our kitchen,” he said. On whether the Naga customary laws give equal platform and privileges to women, he rubbished it as a wrong concept and wrong interpretation for those who thinks so.
“The government of India is pushing for one nation, one law, and one tax. But as long as we protect the power of Article 371(A), no law of India can come and disturb us. We have the supreme authority to decide on what is good for us. However, the greed of the people have high tendency to interpret it in their own comfort and their personnel interest,” he added.
He reiterated that there was no discrimination against women in any manner in Nagaland or the Angami community in particular. “In the Naga society, women get equal privileges similar to what is given to men folks. We (men folks) have the wisdom to think on women’s welfare and we always prepared to support women as and when needed,” he said while recalling that a woman hadrepresented Nagaland as Member of Parliament decades ago.
“If anybody is deprived of their rights, they can come to the people or even approach the government,” Seleyi added. On information that some candidates approached APO to relax on those unreserved seats in Kohima, Dr Seleyi rubbished any such development. “Everyone honoured the decision of APO,” he said.
A drone reportedly belonging to the Assam Rifles was shot down with a catapult by the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) volunteers today. The drone, white in colour, was shot down in the afternoon after 2 pm.
Sources said the drone was flying above Kohima town since morning. As per some volunteers, another drone, black in colour, was flying in the morning, while the white drone appeared in the afternoon.
Though it could not be ascertained as to who shot the drone down, the volunteers suspected that the drone was spying their activities.
One of AYO official who wished not to be named wondered why a drone was needed to spy their activities. “Though we boycotted the municipal elections, we never had the intention to indulge in violent means,” he added.
AYO officials informed that the drone was handed over to the Deputy Commissioner Kohima and staff to give it back to the Assam Rifles.
AR personnel could not be contacted as to why the drone was allowed to fly over Kohima town today.
