Naga Students’ Federation reiterates exclusion of non-Nagas in ULB polls

KOHIMA — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), on Wednesday, appealed to the people of Nagaland, calling for exclusive indigenous representation in the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections. The student body said that its advocacy goes beyond the Naga Municipal Act to protect the identity of the Nagas of Nagaland state.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima, NSF vice president Mteisuding, underscored the need to ensure that the voices and aspirations of the indigenous Naga populace are authentically represented in all decision-making processes.

He maintained that the federation advocates for “Nagas by blood, not by adoption,” while reiterating its firm stand on indigenous representation in municipal and town councils as expressed in earlier press statements.

NSF executive members — General Secretary Chumben Khuvung, Secretary Publicity and Information Pithungo Shitio, Secretary Social and Culture Kaisu Chakre — were also present at the press conference held at their office in Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.

Further, the NSF noted that some candidates, who may not meet their criteria for indigenous representation, have filed nominations for the ULB election and urged the public to consider how Naga representatives can be effectively incorporated into the decision-making process within the ULB.

It is up to the wisdom of the Nagas to decide and safeguard the identity, customs, and traditions of the Nagas, the NSF officials maintained.

They went on to state that the issue pertains to the ULB election involving Nagas of Nagaland state and that Naga women married to non-locals should not be allowed to contest in this election.

General Secretary Khuvung stated that the NSF has nothing to do with Indian elections nor is it biased towards any individuals. Their focus is solely on protecting the rights and interests of the Naga indigenous people, he emphasised.

He explained that the student body’s context in this ULB election is reserved and confined to indigenous people of Nagaland state. As such, Naga women married to Nagas of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal, or Burma (Myanmar) are not eligible to participate in the election.

He further clarified that a non-local adopted by a Naga family is also not applicable for the election according to the NSF’s stand. Furthermore, Naga women married to other non-locals and their offspring should be considered non-locals according to the customary, tradition, and culture of the Nagas and such candidature are also not applicable to the ULB election, he maintained.

However, against such an appeal made by the NSF, there are reportedly three candidates from Dimapur and Kohima who are non-indigenous Nagas and women married to non-locals, the NSF said.

Furthermore, the federation also disseminated its appeal to the tribal hohos, and in few places, it said some candidates have paid heed to the appeal and refrained from filing their nominations.