Municipal elections: Major tribe bodies call for boycott

• Ao Senden bars its members from participation; warns of strict action | • AYO says its ready to go to any extent to prevent said elections

Dimapur, Jan. 2: Despite the state government’s attempt at bulldozing its way ahead with elections to urban local bodies with 33% seat reservation for women candidates hailing from scheduled tribe category, different apex organizations representing various tribes of Nagaland have called for boycott of the same in its present form.

An advocate of nomination rather than reservation, the Ao Senden on Monday announced its decision to forbid the conduct of elections to urban local bodies within its jurisdiction while cautioning its members – residing anywhere in the state, not just in Mokokchung – from even participating in said elections.
This decision was taken during a meeting between “Ao Senden Mokokchung District Landowners and All Ward Union” on Monday at Mokokchung. According to an Ao Senden statement, this prohibitory order includes all of its members across Nagaland because the intention was to safeguard the ‘identity’ of the Naga people as a whole, not just within Mokokchung.

Anyone from the Ao community found violating this order would be liable to “questioning and appropriate punishment” from the Ao Senden, it stated. The Ao Senden has empowered the landowners of all towns/urban units and leaders of different wards to prevent said elections from taking place, it was informed.

AYO calls for boycott; says it’s prepared for any eventuality

The capital town of Kohima itself would represent a daunting, if not impossible, task for the state government even as the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) on Monday announced that it would boycott said elections “as directed” by Angami Public Organisation (APO).

Even more crucially, perhaps, the APO also made its stand amply clear: “For the record, AYO is prepared to go to any extend to uphold the stand of the Angami Public Organisation”.

It issued a statement on Monday informing all of its “range units to mobilise volunteers and be prepared for any eventuality.” It warned that in case of any “untoward incident”, the AYO would hold the state government responsible for any damage or loss of property or life.

“In support to the Angami Public Organisation’s boycott call against holding of elections to Urban Local Bodies with 33% reservation in its present form, the Angami Youth Organisation also appeals to all political parties and intending candidates to refrain from filing of nomination to the municipal and town council elections, till an amicable understanding is reached between the state government and the Angami Public Organisation, various Tribal Hohos and other Naga civil societies. AYO also impresses upon all its members not to file their nomination.

“The AYO also requests all likeminded youth organisations to join hands in opposing the elections to Urban Local Bodies in its present form which infringes on our customary law and also tries to squash Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India,” the statement read.

Kohima landowners oppose

In a separate statement, the Kohima Village Council – the traditional landowners – on Monday reaffirmed its decision to boycott the municipal elections with 33% seat reservation for women at Kohima.

A press release from KVC stated that the decision was taken during its general meeting on December 30, 2016. “The house re-affirmed to its previous stand on the 33% reservation and unanimously resolved to stand by it and boycott the election and entrusted its youth (Kohima Village Youth Organisation) to take care of it in case any unwanted situation arises.”

It also stated that the KVC was “not an organisation to rely on insider”. This was in response to a PTI report datelined Kohima that quoted a KVC “insider”, that was reproduced in the local dailies.

Chakhroma Public says no

The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has also resolved to stand in support of the Angami Public Organisation’s decision in regard to the Urban Local Body’s election in Nagaland.

A press statement from the organisation on Monday stated that the “democratically elected government” should listen to the voices of the people. The CPO has directed its members to strictly adhere to the directives given by the apex body of the Angami people.

CVC extends support to APO

The Chumoukedima Village Council (CVC) HAS extended “total support to Naga Hoho, ENPO, Ao Senden and APO, which resolved to boycott upcoming municipal and town council election with woman reservation.”

According to a press release, the CVC was against said elections because “it does not suit the Naga society, in fact it directly challenge the Nagas customs and traditions.” Hence, it has asked “all the people living in Chumoukedima jurisdiction/area to strictly adhere to the decision of CVC and fully support Naga Hoho, ENPO, Ao Senden and APO.” It also warned members of the public not to file nomination paper, “to avoid any unwanted penalty or consequences.”

CPO to discuss municipal elections today

The Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) has convened an emergency general meeting on January 3 at 11 am at Pfutsero town hall to deliberate on municipal elections.

In this regard, the CPO requested all its executive council members, VCCs, head GBs, former CPO officials, frontal organisations and invitees to attend the meeting.

In the meantime, the CPO has appealed not to file for nominations within Chakhesang jurisdiction on January 3, before the outcome of the meeting.

ENPO adopts Noklak resolution on Nagaland Municipal Act

On December 29 last, the ENPO had demanded the state government to clarify why the latter had announced the date for said elections without responding to a joint memorandum from the ENPO and the Naga Hoho submitted to the chief minister on December 10 last.

This demand was part of the ‘Noklak resolution on Nagaland Municipal Act’ adopted by the six federating units of the ENPO. It also demanded from the state government a written assurance that the Nagaland Municipal Act (Third Amendment) Bill 2016 would not infringe on Article 371(A) in any manner now or in the future. It had set a January 2 deadline for the state government to respond.

CNTC opposes

The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has also announced that it would oppose the conduct of ULB elections within the CNTC jurisdictions of Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto and Dimapur till appropriate amendments were made to the Municipal Act.

This decision was collectively taken in a meeting of three apex bodies of Ao Senden representatives, Lotha Hoho and the Sumi Hoho on Sunday at Tourist Lodge Dimapur, according to a press release.

No objection, says Pochury Hoho

The Pochury Hoho on Monday asserted its July 13, 2016 office memorandum which stated that ‘if any group of people or organization of Pochury is taking up an initiative step for social uplift and community development, the Pochury Hoho shall not stop/sabotage them from doing their job in the interest of the people of Pochury.’

In the matter of fact, the Pochury Hoho has no objection on issuing of 33% women reservation for the town council election, a press release from the hoho stated. “This memorandum is served with reference to the humble appeal letter regarding to 33% Women Reservation received from the President and colleagues of Pochury Mothers Association Vide No.nil Dt. 11/07/16.”