Nagaland cabinet step up pressure on Centre in revisiting schedule IX -A

GUWAHATI: Nagaland cabinet has decided to step up pressure on Centre in revisiting schedule IX-A of India Constitution, which deals with the municipalities. However, the agitating tribal bodies termed the same as a total sellout of the Article 371(A) of the Constitution. Article 371(A) accords special provisions to the state of Nagaland.

According to a communiqué issued by the media cell, chief minister’s office in Nagaland, the state cabinet in a emergent meeting, while taking serious consideration of the widespread concern expressed by various tribal hohos (apex bodies) and other organisations with regard to certain provisions of Part IX-A of the Constitution relating to municipalities, has decided to submit a memorandum to the prime minister to amend the Constitution through ordinance.

This is seen as state government’s attempt to placate the tribal bodies which is opposing 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies (ULBs) and resorted to violence protest following which polls were called off.


According to state government all the sixty legislators of the state, both the members of parliament, the chairman and vice-chairman of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland are to submit the memorandum jointly and an prime minister has been sought, it stated.

The Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) stated that the decision of the Nagaland Cabinet to submit a memorandum to the prime minister to amend the Constitutional provision of Part IX-A has come as shocking news to the organisation and right thinking citizens of the State. The people of Nagaland are aware that the Nagaland Assembly is empowered to make laws and amend them as per the need of the state, NTAC added.

Convener NTAC, Kohima, KT Vilie and CT Jamir secretary NTAC stated Nagaland Assembly, being empowered by the constitution, has been using the Article 371(A) to enact laws like the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001and other Laws.

“Using the same power it has been amending them as well. What is most shocking now is, forgetting this fact for reasons best known to them, the cabinet is reported to submit a memorandum jointly to the prime minister of India to amend the constitution Part IX-A through an ordinance. This move of the cabinet is sheer mockery of the state assembly itself, the democracy of the state and the people of the state in general.”

The tribal body added, “Worse still, this decision of the cabinet is a total sellout of the Article 371(A) of the Constitution. This confirms further the urgency of the demand for chief minister’s resignation before further damage to the state is committed.”

NTAC has reiterated that the democratic struggle of the people began by the people of the state will be taken to its logical conclusion.