On August 18 consultative meeting by Nagaland Govt

Kohima, 19th August 2021

The August 18 consultative meeting was another sham exercise where the state govt led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had conveniently outsourced policy making decisions and governance issues to 14 tribal hoho’s of Nagaland. With NPF joining the govt bandwagon to form Nagaland United Government (NUG) under the pretext of Naga political solution, the intensity of political gimmicks will increase while common people continues to suffer without any end in sight.

What transpired in the consultative meeting and going by the speeches of Chief Minister and others as reported in media, law making in Nagaland has shifted from Nagaland Legislative Assembly to State Banquet Hall as all 60 elected members have abdicated their responsibility to focus only on raiding state exchequer. NPCC therefore will not remain silent as the state govt and its chosen cronies continue their indulgence in fooling people without any hesitation.

Dimapur-Peren boundary issue

The state govt had already set up two committees in the past and whose reports are already with the govt. Instead of taking decision which is what the govt is mandated to do, it has thrown the ball into the court of 14 tribal hoho’s.

In the first place, state govt is fully responsible for allowing inter village disputes on boundary demarcations to take the form of inter tribe dispute by turning blind eye to various instigators perched on some CSO platforms. Rather than taking action against those instigators, the state govt has washed off its hand and shifted the responsibility on 14 tribe hoho’s which will be counterproductive. The state govt is therefore warned to recall this senseless decision.

RIIN

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio backtracking on RIIN is another sign of cowardice despite forming opposition-less govt. He was the one responsible for coming up with concept of RIIN, but is now parroting about his concern for other citizens of India, thereby diluting the very purpose of having RIIN.

When the Commission on RIIN or Banuo Commission has held exhaustive consultations with various tribe hoho’s, civil societies, pressure groups and other stakeholders before submitting its report to the govt, seeking opinions of civil society organsiations or going for multiple round of consultations is just a ploy to delay and thwart the implementation of RIIN. We therefore condemn the state govt for its double standards and demand that RIIN be implemented with Dec 1, 1963 as cut-off date without further delay.

Women Reservation and ULB polls

The discussion on women reservation in ULBs without having representation from any women bodies from the state is a big insult to our women folks. The violence and mayhem during ULB agitation in 2017 is still fresh in the minds of the people. Four years have passed, but the state govt has so far failed to book those instigators and perpetrators of violence.

As long as Nagaland remains a part of Indian Union, constitutional obligations will have to be fulfilled and sourcing twisted opinions or interpretations on legal aspects of women reservation and its applicability in Nagaland vis-a-vis Article 371A will not address the discrimination and betrayal to our women folks.

Communication Department
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee