Dimapur, March 9 (EMN): Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and Naga Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), Kohima, urged the chief minister to constitute a Committee/ Law Commission consisting of eminent persons and experts in the field to examine for amendment/repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 at an early date preferably within a period of three months and not to hold the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Nagaland till such steps are taken in the best interest of all concerned.
In a representation to the chief minister JCC convenor Supu Jamir and NTAC convenor KT Vilie recounted in which the State faced a period of unrest and turmoil which emanated out of holding ULB elections leading to the loss of lives and causing huge loss to the government.
The representation said all such occurrence of unpleasant situations was the by-product of holding ULB elections against the wishes of the people. It pointed out that the existing Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 is nothing but a bag of borrowings from other municipal laws which do not suit the cultural and social practices of the Nagas. Terming the issue ‘very delicate,’ it felt the need for remedial measures so as to have a sound and comprehensive legislation to suit with the system applicable in Nagaland. Having confronted with such a situation, it said JCC and NTAC, Kohima, who were entrusted by the tribal hohos to spearhead the issue, had convened a co-ordination meeting with all the apex tribal hohos of the State on February 7 last at APO Hall, Kohima, wherein it resolved that the ULB election in Nagaland should not be held until and unless a thorough amendment is made on the Nagaland Municipal Act,2001 by safeguarding the powers and the privileges conferred under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India. The apex tribal hohos have also authorised JCC and NTAC, Kohima, to spearhead the movement and to abide by the decision of the JCC and NTAC, Kohima.
Moreover on March 3, a joint coordination meeting with the tribal hohos endorsed JCC and NTAC, Kohima, to pursue the same. The house further resolved that the resolutions taken on November 22, 2016, by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in connection with ULB elections should be revoked lest it will have far reaching adverse consequences for the state of Nagaland in the long run.
In the light of the above stated facts and circumstances, JCC and NTAC requested the chief minister to constitute a Committee/Law Commission consisting of eminent persons and experts in the field to examine for amendment/repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 at an early date preferably within a period of three months. It further felt it appropriate not to hold the ULB elections in Nagaland till such steps are taken in the best interest of all concerned.
