Kohima: A consultative meet organised by the Government of Nagaland with political parties, tribal Hohos (organisations), civil societies and student bodies here on Wednesday affirmed to uphold the rights of the Naga people while asking the Centre to implement the special privileges guaranteed under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
The meeting held at the Capital Convention Centre here was addressed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on the Special Economic Development Zone while presentations were made on Rules of Executive Business of the state government by Additional Chief Secretary C J Ponraj, provisions of Article 371(A) of the Constitution by president of the High Court Bar Association Kohima Timikha Koza, minister for Geology and Mining T R Zeliang and Secretary Justice and Law Department, K N Chishi.
Though no resolution was adopted in the meeting, the speakers affirmed that Naga people should shun all differences and stand together in fighting for special rights guaranteed to the Nagas under the Constitution.
In his address Chief Minister Rio described the meet as historic to understand the genesis of Nagaland’s statehood and the actual problems now faced by the Naga people.
The 16-point agreement is now under question by the Centre as the state government has received letters from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs asking to take away the rights and agreement stating that it was unconstitutional.
“We are within the rights and under the Constitution, but it is the Government of India which has turned unconstitutional,” he said, while reiterating that the state of Nagaland shall stand by its regulations, but if the Centre feels necessary, it can approach the Court.
On the issue of ownership and transfer of land, which has also been guaranteed to the Nagas under Article 371(A), he said “We respect the Centre, but we cannot agree to share the ownership of our land with anybody.”
On the Rules of Executive Business, specially regarding transfer and posting of officers in the state, Rio said the state cabinet has decided it would not send the files of promotion, transfers and postings to the Governor for approval. “None of the states in the country seek the Governor’s approval for promotions, transfers and postings of government officials below the rank of Chief Secretary and Director General of Police,” he said.
Meanwhile,Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar said on Thursday that the four pillars of democracy have constructed fire walls around themselves to avoid being questioned by vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, .
“The challenge before the vigilance department is to break those fire walls, penetrate through the defences and reach the place where the cancer of corruption lies,” Kumar, a former CBI Director, said at a conference here.
The Governor noted that another difficulty faced by the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau was that they are part of the government and are expected not to question their own masters.
He said the most potent weapon to overcome these difficulties is truthfulness and being absolutely transparent in one’s conducts and methods.
Kumar was inaugurating the first-ever conference of the heads of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau from the North-Eastern states here.
Commissioner of Central Vigilance Commission R Sri Kumar said the most important part of any anti-corruption strategy was political will. “Unless the political will is explicitly stated and acted upon without fear or favour, no anti-corruption strategy can succeed,” he said. (PTI)