JCC 3-pt resolution on ULB polls

Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), which held an emergency meeting with 15 Dimapur-based tribal hohos, unions and organizations along with NCD, DUCCF & GB Union Dimapur to discuss the issue of urban local bodies (ULB) election, has adopted three-point resolution.
Addressing the media after nearly four hours of meeting, JCC secretary, W Rainbow Ngullie, informed that the house unanimously resolved and endorsed JCC to spearhead the ULB issue till the demands of the Naga people were fulfilled. The house also resolved that JCC officials would participate in the apex tribal body meeting to be held at Kohima on March 27.
Further, it was resolved that JCC would submit a memorandum to the government demanding the report of Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC), which was set up to inquire into January 31, 2017 incident, in which two youths were killed in the police firing in Dimapur injuring others, who were protesting against ULB polls.
JCC secretary informed that 53 members representing 15 tribal hohos attended the meeting.
He informed that the outcome of the March 27 meeting at Kohima would determine how JCC would go about in the ULB election. Ngullie expressed hope that a proper joint statement would be issued after the joint meeting.
Ngullie said Saturday’s emergency meeting was held to have clarity on whether JCC should obtain further endorsement from the apex body organisations since JCC was created by the tribal apex bodies on February 7, 2017.
He said that a proper discussion was needed with the apex bodies to discuss on whether the apex bodies would spearhead ULB issues or whether JCC should continue with their demands, which had been made since 2017.
Ngullie reminded that JCC and Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) was endorsed and authorised by all apex tribal bodies to spearhead the movement, adding that the apex bodies had affirmed to abide by decision and directions of JCC and NTAC till the demands were fulfilled.
Speaking on JCC’s demands, he informed that the provisions on “tax on lands and buildings” needed to be reviewed with proper consultation. He also suggested that the state government should invite stakeholders to have proper consultation on the issue since there was no clarity.
On the state government’s claim that it had “omitted” the provisions, which had been demand of the JCC, Ngullie questioned why was the state government not willing to use the word “Delete”, which was the demand of the Naga people.
Also, addressing the press, JCC youth convenor, Abenjang Imchen, maintained that Naga people want “a totally different Act”. He asserted that Nagas would “never accept” a copy-paste Act, saying the Act should go hand in hand with Naga customary laws. He, however, said that certain clauses could be added for Dimapur and Kohima.
Asked whether the meeting discussed 33% women reservation, JCC youth convenor maintained that the pulse of the Nagas currently was not 33% reservation but was on the infringement of the Article 371 (A). “The 33% reservation is not an issue anymore as of now,” he stated. Imchen, however, said that everything would be discussed at the March 27 joint meeting.