Members of the AKMWP, AWUMT and DUCCF during a press conference in Kohima on November 21. (Morung Photo)
Calls for conduct ULB election at the earliest without any bias
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 21
The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP), All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) and Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF) today held a joint meeting here at 2K Hotel and resolved that it will not accept the November 18 notification issued by Government of Nagaland for nomination of ULB Advisory Council.
This was announced during a press conference here today after its meeting at 2K Hotel.
In another resolution, it urged the State Government to hold the ULB election at the earliest with due rectification and amendment of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 wherever it infringed Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.
The resolution was signed by AKMWP President, Thejao Sekhose; AWUMT President, Limanungsang; and DUCCF President, Tsenthungo Nyamo.
Sekhose told the media persons that the government has issued notification saying that the Advisory Council should be formed within November 30.
Keeping this in mind, he said the AKMWP, AWUMT and DUCCF gathered for the first time today and came out with two resolutions after thorough deliberation, that the government should keep in abeyance the formation of advisory council but instead conduct the ULB election at the earliest without any bias by hearing the voice of the people wherever the people have been objecting earlier.
“So we are urging the Government of Nagaland to look upon this matter seriously,” he said.
On being asked any reason for not wanting the formation of Advisory Council, Sekhose said “We are not against the decision but we want the government not to go for formation of the Advisory Council because it is not necessary to form that,” adding that at this juncture, the government directly link up with the grassroot people.
“Instead of forming this, we want the government to initiate ULB election at the earliest,” he said.
“Election should be conducted after rectification of the Nagaland Municipal Act, wherever it may infringe the Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution which protects Nagaland,” he added.
“We found that the Municipal Act 2001, in some chapters, it infringes Article 371(A) so we want the government to rectify all these and conduct the ULB election at the earliest,” Sekhose stated.
On being asked what will be their reaction if the government goes ahead with the formation of the Advisory Council, Sekhose said “I think the government is for the people and by the people. Government is run by cleaver and intelligent people, so government after seeing our resolution, with full hope, government will not go ahead. We are positive about it.”
Stating that the government should listen to the voice of the people, he said “Government does not mean that they should give left and right order/notification but they should first listen to the people and then go ahead with all other developments.”
