Review 2016 amendment of Municipal Act, says Imkong Imchen

KOHIMA: Advisor of IPR, Imkong L Imchen, emphasised on the need to review the 2016 amendment of the Nagaland Municipal Act in regard to Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election.

He said amendments which have already been incorporated in the year be put right as “shall be omitted” should be replaced by “shall be deemed to have been omitted”.

He was speaking at the ongoing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session on Thursday in Kohima.

Meanwhile, Imchen reiterated that the Naga political issue must be “honourable, acceptable and inclusive,” stating that they cannot be “over critical over this Naga issue,” adding that the very House has passed several resolutions in the past to bring the issue to an amicable settlement.

While exuding confidence that the new NLA comprising 32 old and 29 new members to deliver goods to the people with forthrightness, he recalled the slogan “election for solution” made by BJP Northeast in-charge Ram Madav in the 2018 election.

Accordingly, Imchen recounted how the government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Framework Agreement with NSCM (IM).

The signing of the Agreement had put everyone into confidence that Naga political issue will come to an amicable solution as the Prime Minister announced that the government is in the process of bringing an end to the issue, Imchen recounted.

As the negotiation is being conducted with the government of India, “therefore, our approach to the instant problem should be realistic and rational and acceptable by both the parties.”

‘None should dictate over others and there should be a spirit of accommodation from both the parties on the principle of flexible diplomacy of give and take,’ he said.

Stating that the Prime Minister’s ‘80% take it now and 20% discuss later’ was a positive approach, he said the GoI is sincere and committed so Naga people should also take advantage of the situation.

‘Rigidity will not bring any good result for our prosperity,’ he said.

‘Hope and wish that we remain committed to the assurance to play a proactive role in the days to come,’ he added.

Meanwhile, he said construction of roads by PWD (RB) for three successive financial years have been mentioned but “no mention of new projects by the new government”.

On the 320 km Foothill road, he said the last House agreed that it will be taken as a solo project of the state to the NEC and DoNER but now with MoRTH.

‘The road is economically, commercially and politically important,’ he said and therefore requested the government to take up the Foothill road construction within this financial year and make it a reality to bring relief and happiness to the people of Nagaland.

He also asked to accord Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu as a full-fledged engineering college at the earliest.