Considering the resentment against the ensuing Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Nagaland by the civil society organisations (CSOs) and tribal bodies led by Naga Hoho, former home minister, Imkong L Imchen, MLA, on Friday suggested that government reconsider its decision and try to work out an amicable solution.
He was addressing the media before gracing the valedictory programme of the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) 67th general conference at Changtongya village. Imkong said, “Perhaps it is not too late on the part of the government of Nagaland to reconsider their decision and work out to find an amicable solution”. He added that “personal ego should never be allowed to come into play while dealing with the peoples’ interest”.
Imkong pointed out that Nagas have been given an opportunity in the form of Article 371(A) that allowed them to interpret this constitutional provision according to their customs and traditions. Imchen said he was personally convinced by Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy “government of the people, by the people and for the people”, adding that this definition gave the fullest meaning of democracy.
Imchen said if anyone spoke about mechanism of governance, their action should reflect the basic interest of the people. He said even in case of Nagaland Municipal and Town Council elections, which was notified by the government, it should also reflect the interest of the Naga people.
Further, Imchen pointed out that Naga CSOs led by Naga Hoho, ENPO and almost all tribal hohos have voiced their opinion that this election in the present form would infringe upon the very tenet of Art 371 A of the Constitution of India.
Hitting out on the political party directives, he said many filed the nominations on the direction of “certain” political party and that they were also directed not to withdraw their nominations or else face party disciplinary action. Imchen said such directives were tantamount to negation of the basic democratic principles.
He said that if he was at the “helms of affair” he would not have allowed such agitation and that the door would have been opened for open discussion and sharing thereby discovering the consensus opinion reflecting the peoples’ interest.
Imkong, a former AKM president, also lauded the achievements and performances of the union terming it as the most vibrant student organization in the country.
Recollecting the initial stage of AKM, he said the then British tried to prevent its formation and even tried to prevent the publication of the Ao Milen. Imkong also lamented the creation of ranges in Ao areas by the British, adding that ranges defined by the British on geographical term was at all not necessary. MLA suggested that AKM should ponder on doing away with the range system.