Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the implementation of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act were challenged by the Nagaland Assembly on Monday, and sought protection under the 16-Point Agreement and Article 371A.
On the first day of the monsoon session, the concerns were debated by all parties, 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.
Kuzholuzo Nienu, an NPF MLA, claimed that because Nagas are given special protection under Article 371A, there is a need to talk about the UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
He proposed that the House should pass a resolution rejecting the UCC and the forest Act and said, “Article 371A clearly states that no act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland in respect of the religious or social practices of the Nagas, its customary laws and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary laws and ownership and transfer of land and its resources unless the state assembly so decides.”
Temjen Imna Along, the head of the Nagaland BJP and a cabinet minister, promised they would support the resolution passed by the assembly on both subjects.
The two laws cannot be applied in Nagaland, according to P Longon, the deputy leader of the NCP parliamentary party, and Nuklutoshi Longkumer, the head of the NPP.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio concluded both meetings by stating that Nagaland is the only state to have acceded to the Indian Union through the signing of the 16 Point Agreement and the inclusion of Article 371A into the Indian Constitution.
He expressed confidence that the Centre would dishonor its agreement and would not ignore the Nagas’ rights under the Constitution.
Rio informed the House the state cabinet has already submitted a representation to the 22nd Law Commission to exempt the state from UCC.
The CM said the cabinet held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and he assured to look into it. The CM suggested that the House can pass a resolution appealing to the Centre to ‘totally exempt’ Nagaland from the purview of UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
With Agency Inputs
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