APO, Senden, ENPO, KVC oppose civic polls

In a big blow to the decision of chief minister T.R.Zeliang and his government to conduct elections to Urban Local Bodies(ULBs) with 33% women reservation, several organisations including village councils, opposed holding of civic polls and cautioned of enforcing the boycott within their respective jurisdictions.
In the latest development , Angami Public Organisation (APO), Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Kohima Village Council (KVC) and Ao Senden (Mokokchung) have reaffirmed their stand against holding civic polls with 33% women reservation within their respective jurisdictions.
APO: Angami Public Organisation (APO) through its president Dr.Vilhusa Seleyi and vice president K.T. Vilie, pointed that since it was the primary and moral responsibility of the state government to “maintain peace and harmony in the state” and the bounden responsibility of the “right thinking people and organisations” to make suggestions and proposals to those in power “ for the maintenance of this duty”; it (APO) therefore submitted its communication to the government.
APO accused the government of having gone ahead and announced elections to municipal and town councils “in utter disregard of the wishes of the Naga people” and for which it (APO) “resolved to uphold the coexistence of all gender with mutual respect and love without discrimination” at a meeting on December 30, 2016.
APO has therefore, appealed to the state government to provide “ a space for the people of Nagaland” to come to an understanding “in sharing with views and suggestions.” It reiterated, that till such time the needed space was provided for amendment and necessary and clear-cut safeguard to Article 371A, the APO resolved “ not to allow the conduct of election to municipal and town councils in Angami territories (Dimapur & Kohima district)”
Further, APO has appealed to “ all political parties, intending candidates and individuals to refrain from filing or nominating any candidate for the aforementioned elections”. APO has cautioned that “any action of violation of this resolution shall be viewed as a direct challenge to the APO”. It also appealed to the people’s representatives to “listen to the voice of the people.”
KVC: Kohima Village Council (KVC) discussed the forthcoming municipal election at its general meeting on December 30,2016 and reaffirmed its previous stand on 33% women reservation. KVC Secretary Zeneizo Rutsa disclosed, that KVC reaffirmed its earlier stand and to “boycott the election” and entrusted its youth (Kohima Village Youth Organisation) “to take care of it, in case any unwanted situation arises”.
Racting to an agency report from Kohima, KVC clarified it was not an organisation “to rely on insider” and the report appearing on December 31,2016 was “null and void and misleading”.
ENPO: Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has issued its ‘Noklak Resolution on Nagaland Municipal Act” deliberated at en emergency joint consultative meeting with six federating tribal units– CKS, KTC, PPC, USLP, YTC on December 29, 2016 in Noklak town.
ENPO unanimously adopted the “ENPO Noklak Resolution” with regard to Nagaland Municipal & Town Council elections, according to a joint statement issued by Khoiwang Konyak president ENPO; M.P. Noksang president CKS; Mongchua, president KTC; Manlip Konyak, president KU; P. Chingan, president PPC; Y. Sangtam, president USLP and Throngso, vice president YTC.
ENPO has demanded (i) clarification from the state government as to why the government had declared the date for Nagaland Municipal & Town Council elections, without responding to ENPO-Naga Hoho joint ultimatum submitted to the Nagaland chief minister on December 10,2016(ii) demanded written assurance from the state government that the Nagaland Municipal Act (Third Amendment) Bill 2016 “does not infringe/implicate Article 371A of the Indian constitution in any manner now and in the future and (iii) a written clarification and assurance as mentioned above, which should be submitted through the office of ENPO “on or before 2nd January 2017”.
Ao Senden: Ao Senden also reaffirmed its earlier resolution to oppose the conduct of election to ULBs in the district at a meeting with land owners (Lika board) of Mokokchung at the MMC conference hall.
Disclosing this to Nagaland Post, presidential council member of the Ao Senden Chubawati said the Senden remained firm with its earlier stand against 33% women reservation in civic bodies. He said the land owners also reaffirmed to oppose elections to ULBs in Mokokchung district.
In this regard, Chubawati disclosed, that the Senden has convened another meeting on January 2,2017 with all ward authorities within Mokokchung to “chalk out further course of action”.