The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP), All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) and Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) along with 36 town councils passed a four-point resolution on the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) election on Saturday. The resolution was passed after a consultative meeting held at Whispering Winds DC Hill, Mokokchung ahead of the Supreme Court of India’s hearing on 26th September 2023.

60 representatives from the three municipals and the councils participated in the meeting. It was informed that out of 36 town councils, representatives from only 12 councils could attend however, the absentee councils called upon agreeing to the resolutions adopted by the attendees.

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The four points in the resolution passed by the House as mentioned in the press release signed by Thejao Sekhose, President, AKMWP, Kimanungsang, President, AWUMT and Zasivikho Zakiesato, president, DUCCF are as follows –

1. The three municipals were impleaded in the PIL No. 3607, Civil suit in the matter of Government of Nagaland Versus People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) for opposing the words ” Deleted, Deletion, Omit” and tax on land and building, in this regard, the matter is still pending in the Hon’ble Supreme Court. In the meantime, while awaiting the verdict of the Hon’ble Court, the meeting appreciated the knowledge of the government, tribal hohos, women organizations, students’ bodies and various political parties for acceptance of the resolution to go ahead for election to ULBs with the newly drafted Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
2. While acknowledging the successful consultative meeting convened by the Government of Nagaland on 9th March 2022 and 1st September 2023, the meeting resolved to abide by the wisdom and decision of the tribal hohos in conducting the election of ULBs.
3. The three municipals and town councils appeal to the tribal hohos to identify individuals or organizations who are detrimental to the protection and preservation of Article 371 (A) by initiating certain precautionary measures in the interest of Nagas.
4. Before the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023 becomes an Act, the meeting resolved to appeal to the Select Committee to delete sections/ clauses which is or may likely infringe Article 371(A) and further resolved to have another consultative meeting after the Bill becomes an Act.

The Government constituted a seven member Select Committee, led by Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang as Convenor, to examine the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 on 14th September, the last day of the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.