Nagaland ULB election 2023: Chakhesang Public Organisation demands amendment of Municipal Act

DIMAPUR: The demand to amend the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 is gathering steam with the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) becoming the latest civil body to oppose the conduct of the scheduled urban local bodies (ULB) election in the state if certain portions of the municipal act are not amended.

Declaring its stand on the issue after a consultative meeting with all frontal organisations, public leaders and intellectuals on March 15, the CPO said the Nagaland Municipal Act should be amended during the upcoming first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) between March 20 and 28 before holding the election to the ULB.

The Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 should be amended in such a way that it does not infringe upon Article 371(A), read a press release from CPO.

“The ‘Tax on Land and Building’ should be repealed and deleted from the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 as it infringes on the rights of the Nagas enshrined under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution which is sacrosanct to the identity and survival of the Nagas as a people,” it added.

The Chakhesang apex body went on to demand “the policy on women reservation be reviewed as per local and social practices”.

It said the Chakhesang people will be refrained from participating in the ULB elections until the state government makes the necessary amendments.