Dimapur, Feb. 13: Chief minister TR Zeliang on Monday claimed that the state government’s decision to conduct elections to urban local bodies in Nagaland was in order to protect the provisions of Article 371 (A).
According to a statement from the chief minister’s office, Zeliang said this ‘during the All India Radio Recording’ at the residential office of the chief minister at 2 pm on Monday. Coincidentally, February 13 was World Radio Day.
Zeliang was reported as saying that the cabinet had decided to conduct said elections in order ‘to pre-empt such an eventuality where the (Supreme) Court’s verdict might go against the special provisions we enjoy through the provisions of Article 371 (A).’
“In 2016 alone, the government had 14 consultative meetings with civil organisations on the issue of elections to the ULBs as amended by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 2006. The government also met the recently-formed Joint Coordination Committee on January 25 at my office in Kohima and on January 30 at Chumukedima in the presence of the NBCC”.
As suggested by some tribe organisations on November 16, 2016, he said, the state government would not impose any tax on the land, commercial or otherwise, or on buildings in municipal and town areas.
“Unfortunately, false propaganda had been spread by few individuals saying that once elections to the ULBs are held, the local bodies would start imposing taxes even on domestic animals, vegetables and agricultural produce!”
He said that the state government, ‘not wishing to confront with the protesting organisations’, had given in to their demands, namely, postponement of polls to the ULBs and declaration of those elections held on February 1st as null and void.
“And since from the very beginning, organisations such as the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) had been asking for time so that they can have dialogues and consultations with various tribal organisations to ensure a well-informed election which will promote development and common good of all the Nagas, it is not fair that organisations and individuals are not allowed to come to the consultative meetings convened by the government.”
Stating that the state government was always been open to dialogue and consultation, he appealed ‘all sections of the society to nurture and preserve the good image of our esteemed tribal organisations.’ Violence, he reminded, only begets violence.
“And considering the facts that several thousands of our sons and daughters are scheduled to appear their examinations, I fervently appeal to the agitating groups to lift the Bandh, enable the students to appear their crucial examinations and to let the tens of thousands of government employees whose family members rely on their salaries for livelihood attend offices to work and draw their salaries, and at the same time, to allow the business community to carry out their normal trade to sustain themselves.”
He also expressed sorrow at the loss of two precious lives during the police firing at Dimapur on the night of January 31.
