DIMAPUR— The delegation from Nagaland led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio returned to the state on Friday after meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other officials in New Delhi on July 4 and 5.
The delegation, which included the entire state Cabinet, NLA Speaker, two MPs, Chief Secretary and subordinate officials, were in the national capital to discuss several pressing issues including the demand of Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) with the Home minister.
Upon arrival at the Dimapur Airport, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton told the media that the state government will discuss the tragic incident at Chumoukedima which killed two people and injured three others earlier this week after boulders hit the cars they were travelling in.
He said they will discuss with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Development (NHIDCL), which had a meeting with the commissioner of police on Friday.
He added that the state Cabinet will decide on steps to be taken after the meeting.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]On the controversial UCC, Patton said the Home minister had made it amply clear that the tribals and Christians would be kept outside the purview of the law.
State government spokesperson KG Kenye, who is also Power and Parliamentary Affairs minister, had earlier said through a statement that the Home minister had assured the delegation, saying that ‘the Centre is actively considering to exempt Christians and some tribal areas from the purview of the 22nd Law Commissions exercise’.
The UCC, which is about having a common law for all citizens on matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, has received backlash from various civil society organisations and political parties in the state.
Kenye also said that the negotiations on the proposed ‘Naga Frontier Territory’ are on the verge of conclusion and that the state government will be part of the final agreement.