In a surprise development, a tri-partite agreement was signed at Chumukedima (Police Complex) Monday afternoon between the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) spearheading the indefinite bandh and the state government with the Church (NBCC) as mediator. The NBCC had initiated the meeting between the government delegation led by chief minister T.R. Zeliang and JCC team led by its convenor Supu Jamir and NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho. Dr Keyho said the government agreed to postpone elections to ULB and in return, the JCC also agreed to call of the bandh.
The following is the full text of the agreement:
Meanwhile, a communiqué issued by the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) from Kohima, after signing of the tripartite agreement in Chumukedima, reiterated that the “Nagaland Government agrees in principle to defer the ULB elections.”
According to the CMO, the deferment of the election was also subject to the approval of the state cabinet and the State Election Commission to decide on the time duration ( JCC had asked for two months from February 1, 2017.)
The chief minister’s office said JCC has also agreed to reach out to all tribal bodies with the understanding that , “at the expiry of the deferment time, JCC would ensure participation of the people in the conduct of peaceful polls to the ULBs with 33% reservation for women.”
The agreement has left more questions than answers as it did not specifically mention whether issues raised by various tribe organisations and reflected in JCC’s demands are to be resolved first within the time frame. One of the issues was 33% women reservation and concerns over its implications on society at later stages.
Several leaders said that if 33% women was not an issue since JCC has agreed to its applicability then, the entire protest, agitation and bandhs were all in vain.
January 30th Statement
In the presence of the NBCC (third party), the JCC understand and appreciate the fundamental rights of every voter in Nagaland to participate in the ULB elections (subject to Cabinet and State Election commission decision). Not with standing this fact, as a body representing the historical aspirations and rights of the Naga people, the JCC needs two months, with effect from 1st February, 2017, to educate and dialogue with different tribal bodies.
It is with this understanding that the JCC request the State commission to postpone the upcoming ULB election in order to help the JCC to educate the public toward conducting a well-informed election which will promote development and common good of all the Nagas. At the consummation of the 2 months public process, JCC will ensure people’s participation in the conduct of a peaceful ULB election in the State as stated above (with 33% women reservation). The JCC will call off the bandh subject to the outcome of the final decision of the Nagaland State Election Commission. This we sign, in the presence of the third party, the NBCC.
Sd/-
Subu Jamir, Convener JCC
Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary, NBCC
Y. Patton, Home Minister, Representing Nagaland Govt.