Dimapur, Jan. 27: Defying appeals made by various organisations for deferment of municipal and town council elections in its present format, State government, in its cabinet meeting on January 27, decided that elections to municipal and town councils cannot be deferred but be taken to the logical conclusion as per provisions of law.
A press statement issued by the Commissioner and Secretary to Chief Minister, Himato Zhimomi suggested the administration and police to make adequate arrangement for smooth conduct of the election. The statement also said the State government is ready for dialogue with tribal hohos/ other organisations to explain the position of the government.
The Cabinet also discussed on the boundary fencing by Myanmar government at Pangsha and decided to have a Naga Summit in February in Kohima to take up the matter with all Naga tribal hohos from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.
Whereas the Cabinet has decided not to defer or postpone the elections to the Urban Local Bodies but to go ahead with the conduct of polls as notified since the State Election Commission had pointed out earlier that "the election process, which got underway from December 21, 2016, consequent to the issuance of a notification, cannot be stopped/ postponed/ deferred," NPF president Dr. Shurhozelie and the secretary general KG Kenye have directed all party rank and file at all levels to strictly observe party discipline and ensure that elections to the said bodies are held successfully.
NCD appeals for restrain
Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has appealed to one and all to maintain peace and harmony in Dimapur and Nagaland as well in the event of indefinite ban being imposed by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) starting January 28.
The Council general secretary, Thsapongkyu Sangtam and the president T Bangerloba, have appealed to maintain maximum restrain during the bandh.
Stating that the office of the Naga Council Dimapur will remain open and take all initiative to take stock of situation during the bandh, it requested all councillors to be present at its office during the ban period.
WSKH opposes ULB elections
Western Sumi Kukami Hoho (WSKH) firmly resolved to oppose the ULB elections within its territory.
WSKH has expressed solidarity to all tribe based organisations who have come together to oppose the State government’s move to go ahead with the elections that will see 33% reservation of seats for women.
The hoho president, S Vihuto Yepthomi, felt that the democratically elected government should listen to the voices of the people.
PPC to boycott ULB elections
Phom Peoples' Council (PPC), in a joint emergency meeting on January 27 at Longleng, has fully supported the ENPO’s resolution held in Tuensang on January 14, 2017, with regard to the Nagaland ULB election.
PPC, after thorough deliberation, unanimously resolved to impose total bandh within Longleng district on January 31 and February 1 in protest against the holding of Nagaland ULB elections.
In this regard, PPC has empowered Phom Students' Conference (PSC) and Longleng Town Students' Union (LTSU) for ensuring total compliance in implementing the resolution of PPC for imposing bandh on January 31 and February 1.
Meanwhile, PPC appealed the State government to defer/postpone the decision of holding ULB elections in the interest of peace, tranquillity at large.
PPC cautioned that government will be held fully responsible in the event of any untoward incident arising out of the proposed bandh in Longleng.
PPC president C Chingan Phom and the general secretary Changlong Phom further mentioned that district administration, medical, media, security, paramilitary forces and power will be exempted from the purview of the proposed bandh.
