Dimapur, Jan. 11: The Sumi Hoho has also warned that those who fails to withdraw their nomination papers for Zunheboto Town Council elections “immediately” would be excommunicated from Sumi society for 10 years.
A press release from the Sumi Hoho informed that this was decided during its executive meeting held on Wednesday. “Until and unless the government of Nagaland review the existing Municipal Act, the Sumi Hoho shall continue to oppose the urban local body election.
“In the Sumi jurisdiction of Dimapur district, the Western Sumi Hoho is entrusted to coordinate with the Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Naga Council Dimapur and ensure the withdrawal of nominations by all the candidates,” it stated. Meluri Public reiterates opposition
In a twist, the Meluri Area Public Organization (MAPO) has contended that the Pochury Hoho’s statement of support to 33% reservation for women “has no iota of truth”. While stating that it ‘duly respect and honour’ the apex hoho, the MAPO stated that the July 13, 2016 resolution of Pochury Hoho was “not within the knowledge of the executive council and for that matter, no discussion or deliberation was made”.
Said resolution, according to the MAPO, ‘remains null and void.’ It also informed that the president and the finance secretary of the Pochury Hoho have resigned and filed their nominations to the Meluri Town Council elections.
“At the same time the vice president was out of station. It appears that the publication made by Vichutho Nyusou, general secretary of Pochury Hoho was purely an individual view or otherwise is an abuse of power and the credibility of his act is highly questionable as the executive council of the Hoho never empowered any office bearer to function and take authority in the absence of a President who is the executive head of the apex body.
Therefore, the statement made by him does not reflect the views of the Hoho or the Executive Council. In the wake of the above statement MAPO makes an earnest appeal to all the intending candidates to withdraw their candidature in the forth coming Meluri Town Council election.”
CNTC demands reschedule
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded immediate postponement of the ULB elections in Nagaland. “In the wake of contention over the impugned Municipal Act by all the tribal apex bodies of state, the government calling for the conduct of ULB elections in spite of the widespread objections of tribal bodies, will invite an unprecedented ramifications which the responsibility will be borne by the state government,” read a press release.
It has asked all the candidates who have filed their nominations to withdraw the same ‘respecting the decision of the respective tribal bodies.’ “There is a clear demarcation between the Indian laws and our Naga customary laws indicated by Article 371A and thus should not be misled by vested individuals by twisting, distorting and manipulating to suit their interests.”
The Zeliang People’s Organisation, Nagaland on Wednesday appealed all aspiring candidates who have already filed nominations in various towns and “especially of Peren district” to withdraw their nominations.
A press release from the ZPO stated that the withdrawal of nominations should enable to ‘pave way for drawing an acceptable and conclusive decision in so much as protection of Naga customary law and practices and upholding of Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India vis-a-vis the state of Nagaland indispensable.’
“A healing to this condition can only be brought about through consultation and dialogue. Even as such eventuality is anticipated, what is inevitable at the moment to be able to prove that the state government and its citizens are humanly civilised, is to put on hold the proposed ULB elections of February 1, 2017,” it stated.
