On 33% Women Reservation, Asking the DAN Government Not to Go Against the Nagas

1. The series of events that have led to the present severe crisis in Nagaland due to the war like situation between the masses and the State Government for 33% women reservation in Nagaland under the leadership of Shri.T.R Zeliang Chief Minister of Nagaland and DAN Chairman Dr. Shurhozelie is most alarming and disturbing for entire Naga society and also for Naga political situation.

2. The undersigned, as a defender of Naga traditions, and up-keeper of Naga culture and heritage and also carrying the responsibility of age old profession through our organization, it has become imperative for me to make our stand clear through this statement.

3. We have seen in the local media that almost all sections of the people led by the civil societies and tribal hohos, organisations like Naga Hoho, ENPO, NTC, NCD, APO, Ao Seden etc are against the conduct of municipal elections for town councils and implementation of women’s reservation and everyone, except few people in the Nagaland DAN Government and the Cabinet, are of the view that implementation of municipal elections and women reservation would not impinge upon Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. Therefore all mass based organisations have appealed to the Government to withhold the elections and not implement the women’s reservations within the Naga inhabited areas.

4. However, the DAN Government has gone ahead with assembly resolution and issued notifications for elections and women’s reservations despite the mass majority of the Nagas appealing to the government not to do so. This has created a war like situation. Democracy has been murdered and the so called people’s government is no longer true if the DAN Government fail to accept the reasonable demands of Nagas in Nagaland.

5. The stand of the tribal hohos and mass based organisations is quite clear. Any person who supports the elections or participates in the elections should be declared as anti-Naga. They are to be excommunicated by their respective tribes which would have gone against the wishes of the Naga people. Even the present Government is already considered as anti-Naga as it has gone totally against the traditional rights of Nagas.

6. We all know that Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India which provides special protection and ensures privileges to the Naga people has been achieved and won with immense suffering and sacrifice by all Nagas. Anybody who does anything to impinge and negatively impact this provision is definitely anti-Naga and the Naga people will never forgive them or even their future generations for all times to come. This should be noted by one and all.

7. Therefore, since the DAN Government is already considered anti-Naga, we appeal to those misled probable candidates who have filed nominations to immediately withdraw their nominations before the last date of withdrawal or else Naga will never forgive them and their future generations.

8. The case of municipal elections and women’s reservations has been heard by the Supreme Court on 18 occasions and previous Advocate General and Additional AG of the State had advised the State and pleaded with the court that this will infringe upon Article 371(A) which even the common person knows. But right now the present DAN Government and the Chief Minister is obviously ill advised and is leading the people and the State towards disaster.

9. It is necessary to appreciate the tribal hohos and the civil societies who have gone out of way to protect the interest of the Nagas by organizing movement to stop betrayers from filing nominations. All the volunteers and participants in the movement need to be appreciated. As for the DAN Government, they seem determined to conduct the elections just for the benefit of getting funds and money from Delhi. So we must question, if the special privileges and protection of the Naga people and all the sacrifices made by the Nagas especially the national workers are more important or getting money for the DAN Government is more important .In this connection I have already blown my referee to all sections of Nagas as well as the Government not to go for ULB election in Nagaland.

T.L. Angami
Founder & First President
Sr. Advisor, GBFN