Mokokchung, 20 January (MTNews): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) disassociated itself from Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Tokheho Yepthomi’s remark, “I wish the GoI do away with Article 371(A)” which he said at a recent program in Chumoukedima.
The NDPP clarified that the statement of the MP is neither the view nor the opinion of the Party or its leadership. “The NDPP stands firm in our commitment to protect the rights and privileges of the people of Nagaland by upholding and safeguarding all the provisions under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India,” it stated in a press communique.
Expressing a strong stance on the matter, the NDPP further emphasized that at a time when the Indo-Naga political settlement is at its crucial stage, there should be no dilution to Article 371(A), “but rather it should be further strengthened in order to ensure a more permanent protection of our traditional customary practices along with safeguarding of our land and resources.”
The NDPP in return called upon all stakeholders to stand united in the common agenda of protecting the rights and privileges for the future of the people.