The NPF Legal Cell is surprised to see the statement issued by Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) on the issue relating to Election of Urban Local Bodies vis-a-vis Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The Legal Cell also wonders as to what has suddenly prompted the NBA to come up with such a statement, when the process for Municipal and Town Council election is almost on the verge of completion (which is only five days left now). As far as professional ethics of legal profession is concern, there is an ample scope for the Legal professionals to approach the hon’ble Court on any matter that concerns legal interpretation. The act of the NBA, appears to be politically motivated if we analyse the timing of their statement and views rendered thereof. If we go through their statement carefully there is full of contradictions, and an attempt to confuse the common people. If the NBA has any opinion of their own in the implementation of Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, they should have approach the hon’ble Court rather than ventilating their anguish opinion in the local paper. The NPF Legal Cell maintains that a statement of the NBA has totally violated the professional ethics of the legal profession.
If we look at the opinion of the NBA from another perspective, they seem to be propounding a theory that Nagas should go back to village life, instead of settling in towns and cities. It also Means to say that Nagas should only remain primitive way of life rather than adopting modern ways of life and governance. When few citizens of Nagaland are already confused because of spreading false propagandas on the present ULB election issue by some political desperados who are up in arms against the present government, a respectable platform like NBA is expected to contribute positively in making the common people understand about the significance of having the Municipal and Town Council election. However, instead of playing positive role, they seem to be fishing in trouble water, in order to promote the interests of some few politicians. The NPF Legal Cell reiterates that the decision of the present government to conduct the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election is well within the scope and ambit of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
Achumbemo Kikon Convenor Legal Cell. NPF
