Kohima, July 11 (MExN): The Senior Citizens Association of Nagaland (SCAN) today voiced out its strong opposition to implementation of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) while further expressing concern over continued violence in Manipur as well as frequent road accidents.
The UCC is neither necessary nor desirable because we feel that it is just tool which in the name of uniformity seeks to replace existing personal laws, social and religious practices by imposing the culture of the majority, stated the SCAN in a press release from its President Dr Khanlo Magh and General Secretary Dr R Rose Chakhesang.
Accordingly, with UCC, the association expressed apprehension over the likely replacement of custom, laws and practices and the customs of each major religious community such marriage, divorce, inheritance etc, with majoritarian culture.
Meanwhile, the SCAN also expressed concern over the continuing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zomi people of Manipur since May 3.
The long ethnic clash has taken a heavy toll causing the death and injury of many people, destruction of property, as well as the temporary displacement of more than 26,000 and relocation of more than 46 000 persons, it highlighted.
“The SCAN is appalled to witness the brutal violence and the senseless destruction of property and appeals to the ethnic groups for humanity and good sense to prevail and stop the violence so that peace and normalcy can be restored,” it added.
The association further said that it is alarmed and dismayed to observe the many road accidents resulting in the lost of many precious lives and injury owing to the developmental activities, citing then July 4 rockslide incident on National Highway-29 as the latest instance.
“Everybody desires development but developmental activities causing loss of lives and injury are undesirable,” it said.
While natural calamities are beyond human control, the SCAN is fully aware that human activity related calamities can be minimised if developmental activities are well monitored and safety protocols are followed, it asserted.
The association further pointed out that the Dimapur-Kohima highway, the lifeline of Nagaland connecting its commercial city with other places, is intermittently cut off and vehicular movements are diverted in recent years due to public safety concerns.
However, it is another matter that the alternative roads are in deplorable conditions and are not really safer causing untold misery to the commuters and not convenient for emergency especially the sick, it added.
Hence, the SCAN appealed the government of the day to seriously look into this matter to ease the plight of the commuters and the safety of the citizens.
