Standing by its resolution to excommunicate any Ao candidate, who defy the directives to withdraw their nominations for the civic body polls the Ao Senden has decided to excommunicate 17 candidates from the Ao community for 30 years.
In a press note, Ao Senden acting president C Angang Jamir and acting general secretary L. Tally Lkr said the candidates, despite repeated appeals and calls made by the Senden, decided not to withdraw their nominations.
In this regard, the Senden has made known that the 17 individuals have been “stripped off of their social and customary rights/status and ex-communicated from Ao citizenship for 30 (thirty) years.” The following individuals have been excommunicated– eight candidates for the Tuli Town Council polls– O. Noklen Jamir (Molungyimsen village), Bendangnungla (Anaki), Temsunungba (Kangtsung), Imlionen, Marchila, M. Tsukjemyanger, Tsungonukshi and Temsulemla (all from Merangkong) and nine candidates for DMC– O. Watimeren Jamir and I. Yannger Jamir of Unger village; Temsulemla and Kazukaba of Merangkong village; Mesosangba and L. Moa Jamir of Khar village Khar, Imotemjen (Kangtsüng), Lanuchuba (Nokpu) and Purkumzuk of Akhoia village.
It may be mentioned that Independent candidate Temsulemla, as per JCC meeting at Dimapur on Friday, has decided to back out from the fray.
The individuals have also been barred from participating in any social or governmental activities on behalf of Ao community for the next 30 years, the Senden added. Further, the Senden lauded those intending candidates who had withdrawn their nomination papers and for paying heed to the voice of the people.
It said the Senden, along with the members of the six Ranges, Town Land Owners (Lika board), All Town Ward Union, Ao Students’ Conference, Lanur Telongjem, students of the three adjoining villages and the concerned Ao citizens had stood firm to prevent candidates from their nominations to the ULB election since January 3-9, 2017
The sole objective was to preserve and protect the rich cultural heritage and rights, the Senden said.
Meanwhile, the Ao Senden has also thanked all those who had extended support through financial and material donations, morally and physical support.