Mokokchung, 16 April (MTNewsAMP): Speaking during the felicitation program of newly elected legislators of 14th NLA from Kohima district, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday stated that the state government would hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the issue of Urban Local Bodies and that a concrete decision would be taken thereafter. The event was organized by the Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) at DPDB Hall Kohima.
According to the CM, the government tried its best to bring more opportunities to its citizens, however, so many negative impacts and social unrest had been faced. Therefore, he said that in order not to face a similar situation like in 2017, the government had repealed Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 in toto.
Successful implementation of RIIN depend on VCs
Speaking on the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said the village councils have the authority to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate to any eligible citizen. He said that Naga people are the native citizens of Nagaland and the village councils are the guardians of traditional and customary law and, therefore, to implement it successfully or not depended on the village councils.
He also cautioned that misusing of the power could invite legal action from the government. In this regard, the chief minister urged the administration and police to assist in implementing RIIN in a corrective manner.
Stating that even the Britishers were not involved in the Naga village level as the election process became dirty and corrupt, Rio suggested that selection and head count process be done instead of election in the village level so as to keep village affairs fair and transparent and to safeguard traditional and customary law and its governance.