Centre actively considering exemption of Christians, tribal areas from UCC ambit – Amit Shah
DIMAPUR — Clearing the air on the issue of the proposed ‘Naga Frontier Territory’ for the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), the Centre has reportedly assured Nagaland government that henceforth negotiations concerning ENPO will be “tripartite” and include the state government for all purposes and at “every stage in the approach to find a detail and final tripartite Agreement.”
This was conveyed to the delegation representing the Government of Nagaland led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, which met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and central officials in New Delhi on July 4 and the 5th, informed minister and spokesperson, Government of Nagaland, KG Kenye, in a press communiqué from Delhi.
“In as far as the ENPO issue is concerned, it has been ascertained that negotiations are on the verge of conclusion and the stage for preparation of the concept is on the anvil. This period will outline the road-map defining the ultimate status and structure of the new entity,” Kenye said.
The Nagaland delegation included Rio’s entire cabinet, assembly Speaker, the two MPs from Nagaland, state chief secretary and subordinate officials.
Kenye also said the delegation apprised the Union Home Minister on the resentment and apprehensions surrounding the proposal for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the serious repercussions it would have, especially in the context of Nagaland which is a Christian State and where Article 371(A) of the Constitution “guarantees our religious practices against all central laws.”
“Responding to this, he (Shah) in no uncertain terms assured the delegation that the Centre is actively considering for exemption of Christians and some tribal areas from the purview of the 22nd Law Commissions exercise. This came as a great relief as it will avert major upheavals. The Delegation expressed its deepest appreciation and gratitude on behalf of all Christians,” the spokesperson stated.
On the Naga political issue and the peace talks which have remained elusive, the delegation requested Shah that the political issue must be “resolved and settled at the earliest since it has been dragging on for an unreasonable period of “time and that the people cannot condone the uncertainty any longer.
Further, on the request not to make the pending Naga political issue “a bottle neck for developmental works in the state,” the Union Home Minister assured that all major proposals of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government pending with the Centre would be cleared very soon, Kenye stated.
“The visit of the state with its full strength of this kind is very rare and not seen in the recent past hence, it is a Mission accomplished for which we gratefully acknowledge the reciprocation of the Government of India,” the communiqué added.
Called on the Hon'ble @HMOIndia & Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah Ji with a State delegation. Discussed the concerns of the State's citizens reg. UCC & Eastern Nagaland. A great statesman, I thank him for his wisdom in understanding issues & continued support to the State pic.twitter.com/snF02MbBZ1
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) July 6, 2023
