Despite stiff opposition to 33% seat reservation for women in Nagaland Municipalities by various organizations and forums including All Nagaland Municipal and Town Councils Forum (ANMTCF), Watsu Mungdang – the apex women body of the Ao tribe has urged the chief minister to take necessary steps for successful and speedy implementation of reservation for women in municipalities.
Appreciating the legislation of 33% seat reservation for women in Nagaland Municipalities under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Watsu Mungdang in a representation to the chief minister signed by its president Supongla Lemdor and general secretary Imtila Longkumer, termed as “unfortunate” the objections from various quarters that reservation for women was against Naga custom and social practices.
“As a matter of fact, the town committee was constituted in Nagaland under Town Committees Rules 1957 and the same institution has been upgraded to Municipality status under Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. Therefore, the creation of this institution by law after Indian independence but not created by Customary practices of the Nagas,” Watsu Mundang said.
On the statement that women can contest from general seats and get elected as Mrs. Rano Shaiza did in the Lok Sabha election, Watsu Mundang said there was no “logic” or “substantial reasoning” behind the contention that contesting from unreserved seats was not against Naga “customary/social practices” but contesting from reserved seats was against customary practices.
The Mundang also said women candidates were in full swing to contest from the reserved seats in the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) election earlier slated for October 10, 2008, but that they were prevented from filing their nomination papers by public of Mokokchung town along with the four land owner villages of Ungma, Khensa, Mokokchung and Chuchuyimpang led by 16 wards chairmen of Mokokchung town.
Even male candidates from different political parties also failed to file their nominations due to the stricture imposed on them, Mungdang added.
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