The Village Council Hall of Kejanglwa village under Peren district, constructed under the Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang on May 17 in the presence of DC Peren, Hiazu Meru and other officials, an update from DIPR said.
In his speech, Zeliang stated that Nagaland has its own Village Council System established under the Nagaland Village and Area Council Act, 1978, which gave the state the Village Development Board (VDB). Therefore, he suggested that the Village Council Hall should not be called as panchayat hall. He said under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India, Nagas enjoy rights for religious and social practices, customary law and procedures, administration of civil and criminal justice.
Maintaining that the village council court is “the lowest and the highest court” according to Zeliangrong customary practices, the DIPR report quoted Zeliang as having said that “if any individual or group goes to High Court or Supreme Court against the judgement given by the Village Council pertaining to land dispute, marriage or divorce cases and other social practices, such people are violating the customary system of the Zeliangrong tribe”.
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With the posting of local officers in most of the district head offices, particularly the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police, the Dy. CM pointed out that the village councils should workout to streamline the customary system of governance with the support of the civil society organisations and tribal bodies.
Also, highlighting the various ongoing road construction projects carried out across the district under different schemes, Zeliang stated to have remarked that Kejanglwa village would benefit with the completion of those roads, connected with good and sustainable road to Jalukie and Peren towns.
Others who spoke in the programme included DC Peren Hiazu Meru, Kejanglwa Village Council chairman Namrachang Hegui and Kejanglwa Youth Organization president.
