On Monday, there was opposition to the proposed uniform civil code in the Nagaland parliament. The Assembly also demanded protection under the 16-Point Agreement and Article 371A in opposition to the enforcement of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act.
All parties in the state Assembly, including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the BJP, the NCP, the NPP, the LJP (Ram Vilas), the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the RPI (Athawale), the JD(U), and Independents, had discussions on the topics on the opening day of the monsoon session.
Kuzholuzo Nienu, an NPF MLA, said that since Nagas are specifically protected by Article 371A, there has to be discussion of the UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
Nienu told PTI that the House should adopt a resolution rejecting both the UCC and the Forest Act, adding that Article 371A makes it clear that no act of Parliament may be applied to the State of Nagaland with regard to Naga customary laws and procedures, administration of civil and criminal justice, ownership and transfer of land and its resources, or any other matter, unless the state assembly so decides.
The president and secretary of the BJP in Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, said that they will support the resolution adopted by the legislature on both matters.
According to P Longon, deputy leader of the NCP legislature, and Nuklutoshi Longkumer, head of the NPP legislative, the two laws cannot be enforced in Nagaland.
What was said by CM Neiphiu Rio?
According to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland is the only state to have ratified the 16 Point pact, a political pact, and inserted Article 371A into the Indian Constitution, making it a member of the Indian Union. Rio is certain that the Centre won’t give in to pressure to change its accord or disregard Nagas’ constitutional protections. He also let the House know that the state administration had previously written to the 22nd Law Committee to seek an exception from the UCC.
According to the CM, the cabinet met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who promised to look into it.
Rio, however, argued that since the state government is an ally of the NDA, which is in power at the federal level, it is unable to oppose the measures taken by that body.
The CM proposed that a resolution asking the Centre to “totally exempt” Nagaland from the scope of the UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act be approved by the House.
Speaker Sharingain Longkumer then announced that distinct resolutions on both subjects will be presented for discussion on Tuesday.