Amend, repeal NM Act; revoke NLA resolution: JCC and NTAC demand

Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) have urged upon chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü to amend/ repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by constituting a committee/law commission to recommend amendment or repeal of the above Act within three months and during which, no election to ULBs in Nagaland be held “in the best interest of all concerned.”

The joint memorandum signed by NTAC convenor K.T Vilie and and JCC convenor Supu Jamir was submitted to the chief minister on Thursday.

The memorandum reminded that the recent unrest and turmoil arose because of holding elections to Urban and Local Bodies (ULBs) resulting in loss of lives and huge loss to government. They said all these happened because holding of ULB elections was against the wishes of the people.

NTAC and JCC pointed out that the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 was “nothing but a bag of borrowings from other municipal laws, which do not suit the cultural and social practices of the Nagas.”

Therefore, they said that remedies were needed in order to have a sound and comprehensive legislation to suit its applicability in Nagaland. 

In this regard, they pointed out that both were formed at a coordination meeting of all apex tribe hohos on February 7,2017 at APO Hall Kohima and where it was resolved that ULB election in the state should not be held “until and unless a thorough amendment” is made to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 which would safeguard the powers and privileges conferred under Article 371A of the constitution of India. 

They further pointed out that at the March 3,2017 joint co-ordination meeting of tribal hohos endorsed the NTAC and JCC to pursue the above objective. 

It was also resolved that the resolution of the Nagaland legislative assembly on November 24,2016 in connection with ULB elections be revoked lest it has far reaching adverse consequences for Nagaland in the long run.