The Proposed Uniform Civil Code was opposed in the Nagaland assembly on Monday. The Assembly also opposed the implementation of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act and sought protection under the 16-Point Agreement and Article 371A.
On the first day of the monsoon session, all parties in the state Assembly including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), BJP, NCP, NPP, LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga People’s Front (NPF), RPI (Athawale), JD(U) and Independents discussed the issues.
NPF MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said Nagas have special protection under Article 371A and therefore needed to discuss the UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
Nienu told PTI that House should pass a resolution to reject UCC and the forest Act and also 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, president and Secretary of BJP Nagaland said they would stand with the resolution passed by the assembly on both issues.
The two laws cannot be applied in Nagaland, said P Longon, deputy leader of the NCP legislature, and Nuklutoshi Longkumer, leader of the NPP legislature.
What did CM Neiphiu Rio say?
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said Nagaland is the only state to have joined the Indian Union with the signing of a political agreement which is the 16 Point Agreement and also the insertion of Article 371A in the Constitution of India. Rio is optimistic that the Centre will not allow itself to compromise on its agreement, or fail to take account of the constitutional provisions for Nagas. He also informed the House that a letter from the state government to the 22nd Law Committee has already been sent, requesting exemption of the State from the UCC.
The CM said the cabinet held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and he assured to look into it.
Rio, however, said with the state government being an ally of ruling NDA at the Centre, it cannot go against the policies and decisions implemented by the central government.
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.
Subsequently, Speaker Sharingain Longkumer informed that separate resolutions on both the issues will be brought for consideration on Tuesday.
