Mokokchung, November 7 (MExN): The Ao Senden today expressed its “profound regret” that respective Tribal Hohos were excluded from the consultative meeting convened in Kohima by the Select Committee on the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 on November 6.
In its reaction to the consultative meeting and the decisions reached therein, the Senden also regretted that the tribal apex bodies attending the "consultative meeting granted their assent without prior consultation with the respective Tribal Hohos they represent."
The Ao Senden unequivocally reiterates its unwavering stance on the opinion expressed during the consultative meeting held on September 1, 2023, asserted a press release from Ao Senden President Chubawati Longchar and General Secretary Imtipokyim.
It must be noted that after the November 6 meeting, the Select Committee on the Nagaland Municipal (Bill) 2023 announced its decision to move forward with what they termed as their amended recommendations.
The "recommendations" include the omission of women reservation for the chairperson of the council and property tax. Eligibility criteria for ULB elections will require individuals to be indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland, it added.
The Deputy Chief Minister and Convenor of Select Committee, TR Zeliang, said that the meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation, Tenyimi Union Nagaland, and Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) was also 'fruitful.'
The Select Committee will submit their recommendations to the Assembly before the session scheduled on November 9.
