Kohima: The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) has said that the ongoing movement of tribal organisations in the state has been hijacked by elements with political agenda.
“It appears that elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and 33 per cent reservation for women were never the issue as initially claimed and propounded by the agitating groups, but the intention of the agitation was political from the very beginning,” NPF said in a release on Saturday evening.
Maintaining that documents don’t lie, NPF has asked the Convenor of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) Supu Jamir to spell out what exactly he meant when he said the Home Minister Y Patton’s statement was a “blatant lie” when he had merely quoted the “January 30th Statement” signed by JCC and state government in the presence of Nagaland Baptist Church Council.
NPF asked Jamir to point out if the statement was the one on which he along with the representatives of the Church representative and the state government had appended their signatures.
And also it is clearly mentioned in the agreement that postponement of the polls was subject to the approval of the cabinet and the State Election Commission while the JCC had pledged to “ensure people’s participation in the conduct of a peaceful ULB elections in the state with 33 per cent women reservation after the expiry of two months.”
JCC and NTAC calls for 12-hour bandh today
The JCC and Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) Kohima on Sunday called for a 12-hour Nagaland bandh on Monday in protest against Chief Minister T R Zeliang’s refusal to step down as demanded by both the organisations.
Meanwhile, various organisations including, North East Network, Assam Meghalaya and Nagaland, journalists and social activists have extended their support in favour of women reservation in civic poll.
In a press statement released recently, they said that while respecting the Naga right in determining their own course of action they must not lose sight of the larger democratic principles of equality and non discrimination in today’s world. “It is in this light Naga society must rethink and re-discuss this issue, keeping in mind the interests of both men and women and the progress of the communities within the nation.” the statement added. (PTI)
