Dimapur April 3 (MExN): The GBs (Village Chiefs) Federation has reacted to the senior Advocate and Assistant Solicitor General of India in regard to the issue of Separation of Judiciary from the Executive. Expressing surprise that the Solicitor “should stoop down so low as to call the representation of the Village Chiefs/GBs as misconceived and misleading, the founder of the federation, TL Angami, questioned if it can be denied that litigation in the present day court cost money and that too often beyond the reach of the poor. If assuming separation of judiciary is effected Angami asked whether or not all the advocates should agree to “appear for their clients at lower courts without consideration of their fees?”
“The GBs are of the view that these and myriad other questions need to be addressed to before taking any hasty action for separation of judiciary, hence, the representation” TL Angami maintained adding that it does not require lengthy discussion. “Suffice it to say that according to the Naga traditional law, separation of power goes beyond the human realm as because we acknowledge God to be our final arbiter where there is no place for bribery. Nobody in his right mind can deny the efficacy of such a system and Nagas are God-fearing people” Angami maintained, reaffirming that the federation had “rightly” advised the Governor of Nagaland to “go slow” and not to take hasty action. The federation added that otherwise would mean it likely would affect the basic structure of the Naga society.
Further more TL Angami stated that “the voices of the villagers are often not very audible and definitely not as loud as that of educated (groups). He asked that however, if at all the former voice their opinions it was for all to lend ears “and not muffle it by long discourses.” Angami in this regard reminded that Article 371 (A) clearly stated that no act of the Parliament will be applicable in Nagaland unless the State Legislative Assembly by a resolution decides to this effect. “The above article by implication has wide scope covering the entire way of life of the Nagas. Hence the Separation of Judiciary which is likely to effect the Nagas’ social structure cannot be taken lightly for it will amount to breach of faith” Angami contented adding that the spirit of Indian laws are already applicable in Nagaland and the High court functioning without difficulty. “Therefore it is not too much to ask the government of Nagaland to ‘let well alone, thus far and no further’” he added.
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