Kigwema hosts seminar on eclectic governance subjects

Dimapur, Nov. 12 (EMN): Members of Kigwema village, in Kohima district, were given a discourse on a wide range of issues that included topics concerning village councils in Nagaland and their functions, illegal immigration; and Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution. The centenary education committee of Kigwema Baptist Church in Kohima hosted a legal education programme at Kigwema village on Nov. 11 in collaboration with the Nagaland Legal Services Authority (NSLSA). Updates on Monday informed about the proceedings of the event. Kekhriengulie, additional advocate general at Kohima bench of the Guahati High Court spoke to the gathering about the Village Council Act of 1978. The official said that the Village Council Act was established in the “customary form” for the convenience of the people. It was run by the village people for the welfare of the villagers and to preserve the rights of the villagers, the updates stated. He said that members are elected from among the village’s people who are of 25 years of age and of sound mind. “Kekhriengulie said that village council is a legal entity like a living person where immense power has been vested on the council and that it can sue and be sued on its name,” the updates explained. Irrespective of size, all village councils have equal powers for their functioning, he said. He explained that the village council has been empowered with administrative, financial and judicial powers to develop the village; it functions under the supervision of the district administration. Speaking on law relating to citizens was Kezhokhoto Savi, ex-officio member of the Kohima District Legal Services Authority. He talked about the Bengal Regulation Act on Inner Line Regulation. He pointed out that illegal immigrants are immigrants who entered Nagaland illegally, and without possession of valid documents. If the influx is not monitored by the government the indigenous inhabitants of the state and its future generation will pay the price in the long run. Savi told the gathering that to protect the indigenous inhabitants of the state there are laws ‘arms’ in the hands of administration to check influx of immigrants. Proper procedures need to be followed and monitoring of immigration is required as such events directly impact the citizens’ right as Indian citizens, he told the gathering. He also talked about food safety and asked the gathering to be vigilant consumers. Zasitsolie, a panel lawyer at NSLSA, spoke about Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution. The lawyer told the gathering that Article 371 (A) was an outcome of agreement between the Nagaland Peoples Convention and the Union of India in 1960. To establish Nagaland as a separate state the 13th Constitution Amendment Act of 1962 was enacted for the state and was inserted in the Indian Constitution to preserve and protect the rights of the Naga people, the updates stated. Zasitsolie said Article 371 (A) has given immense power to the legislative assembly to accept or deny any acts of the Parliament according to given provisions. Saying that the legislative assembly can enact laws for the state for the welfare of the citizens, he said that the Indian Parliament has the power to enact any law for the whole country or even alter or change boundaries of any state within the country vide Article 3,245,248 and 249. Yet with respect to Nagaland, he said, it must be noted that Article 371 (A) was an outcome of agreement between two parties.