The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), in collaboration with its federating units and subordinate bodies, in a statement issued today, reiterated their firm stance on the paramount importance of indigenous representation in the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Nagaland.
Stating that electing non-Naga individuals to local governance positions poses a significant risk to the preservation of cultural heritage, the NSF cautioned that “such appointments could disrupt the traditional systems that have long sustained the communities and dilute the cultural legacy that defines us as a people”.
The NSF expressed its strong belief that “indigenous representation in local governance is not just a matter of political correctness but a fundamental necessity for the survival of our cultural identity.”
Further, the federation reiterated that contesting in the ULB elections must be reserved exclusively for indigenous Naga individuals of Nagaland state. “Candidates must be Nagas by blood, not by adoption,” it added.
Furthermore, the NSF strongly advocated for the exclusion of Naga women married to non-locals from contesting in these elections.
Stating that the upcoming ULB elections represent a critical juncture for the people of Nagaland, it called for unity and collective action in upholding the sanctity of indigenous representation.
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