Ultimatum of Naga Hoho to CM Nagaland

Respected Sir, The people of Nagaland, led by Naga Hoho and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization had a threadbare discussion on the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, upon which the Nagaland Legislative Assembly revoked its earlier resolution passed and adopted unanimously by the 11th state assembly on the 22nd September 2012, pertaining to the subject of 33% reservation of women to the election of Urban Local Bodies by the 12th state Assembly on the 24th of November 2016. The two mass based organizations together with tribal bodies after a series of meetings and interaction on this particular issue have decided to serve this Ultimatum to your Government on the following points. 1. 12th NLA should restore the 22nd September 2012 Resolution. The Naga people stood rock solid with the decision of the Assembly whereby it passed a Resolution that Part IX A of the Constitution of India should not be applied in the state of Nagaland, because of the fact that Article 243(M) grants the state of Nagaland an exception for implementation of the same Act. The crux of the matter is, even the Constitution of India duly recognizes the unique social and traditional set up of the Naga society where women are taken on board on the same footing as to that of a man. The 33% women reservation policy of India in their fight against the cursed Caste system where lower castes or for that matter, include a Dalit or Adivasis; are discriminated by dominant men folks cannot be equated with the social practice of the Nagas. No single Naga Father denies his daughter to go to school. Likewise, each and every Naga men longs to see his daughter becoming a successful lady. Therefore, what the constitution of India has recognized and exempted Nagaland State should be put back in place, because it is direct infringement to the Article 371(A) wherein our social practice is protected. 2. Not to issue election Notification. The Naga Hoho and the ENPO have arrived to a conclusion that the State Government should not issue Election Notification as of now, because of the fact that even if the State do so, implementing and conducting election to the Urban Local Bodies without the participation of the people would rather embarrass the Government. 3. Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation should withdraw their PIL. The Naga Hoho and the ENPO expresses its displeasure over the handling of the pressure applied by some few women claiming to be representing the whole of Naga women. Therefore, the state government must make these women folks withdraw the PIL filed in the Supreme Court of India. It is highly commented that these women leaders who have forgotten their ancestral Naga social fabric must maintain the Naga identity for the larger interest of the Nagas. 4. Time frame of 15 days is given to the Government. This Ultimatum is served to your good office reiterating the fact that you represent the people and therefore your Government should listen to the voice and cries of the people. Failing to convene a special session and restoring the 22nd September 2012 Assembly Resolution within these 15 days from today, the Naga Hoho and the ENPO will be compelled to initiate its own course of action against your government towards which end, the consequences should be your responsibilities since we are determined to uphold and protect our time immemorial cultural and social usages of the Nagas. Dated the 10th of December, 2016. The claim made by Mr. Ozukum that the state govt has fulfilled its demand is therefore unacceptable to the Executives of the Naga Hoho. Further, any official(s) from the office of the Naga Hoho attending the consultative meeting called by Chief Minister on the 8th Feb 2017, will be doing so on his individual capacity and not as a representative of the Naga Hoho. Sd/- Mutsikhoyo Yhobu General Secretary, Naga Hoho; Ruungutou Sechu Finance Secretary, Naga Hoho