Ao Senden passes resolutions on ULB election in Nagaland

Mokokchung: The Ao Senden has lauded the government of Nagaland for paying heed to the voice of the people by adopting a resolution to repeal the controversial Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 ‘in toto’ during the Assembly session on Tuesday, however, it said it won’t tolerate undermining of people’s rights even in future.

During a consultative meeting in connection with the urban locals bodies (ULBs) election at Ao Kilem in Mokokchung on Wednesday, the Ao Senden along with various stakeholders resolved to request the state government, in writing, to invite representatives of various Naga tribal hohos for consultation during the drafting of a new municipal act to ensure that it does not infringe the provisions of Article 371 (A).

If the government of Nagaland takes up any initiative in connection with the Municipal Act in future, undermining the rights of the Naga people, the Ao Senden said no Ao Naga citizen will participate in such an initiative. It added that it won’t allow ULB election to be conducted in its jurisdiction if the government decides to do so without taking the rights of the people into consideration.

It also resolved that if the government of Nagaland appoints/nominates any advisor/committee/councillor etc. to the ULBs prior to enacting an appropriate Nagaland Municipal Act, such arrangement will not be accepted within the Ao Naga jurisdiction.

The house also reiterated and reaffirmed the earlier resolutions adopted by Ao Senden in respect of the ULB election.

The consultative meeting was attended by Landowners’ Board Mokokchung Town, All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, All Ward Union Changtongya Town, Tuli Town Ward Union, All Ward Chairman Association Mangkolemba, and village councils of Akhoya, Changtongya, Merangkong, Wamaken, Kangtsung, Khar and Longjemdang.