The Nagaland Government has submitted its official stand on the proposed Uniform Civil Code to the 22nd Law Commission of India, stating that they had to throw some light on the background history of the Naga people about Article 371 A.
This was stated by the Nagaland Government Spokesperson and Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, Nagaland Shri K G Kenye, today at a press conference held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, Nagaland.
Shri K G Kenye said that the Law Commission of India was notified on the 14th of June 2023, giving a month time up to the 14th of July seeking opinions and responses from the people of this country on the Uniform Civil Code, however, the period has been extended up to 28th July.
He said that the Nagaland Government submitted a letter on the 4th of July to the Law Commission of India as it was found necessary to place the State's stand to the 22nd Law Commission dealing with the Uniform Civil Code. Highlighting the various phases that happened during the nineteenth century where an agreement of 'Non- interference policy' about the special and religious practices was enacted by the Parliament in 1962, he said that Article 371 A has stood as a constitutional guarantee by the Government of India to the people of Nagaland.
The Minister said that in the last sixty years of Statehood, Nagaland continued to endure violence, turmoil and bloodshed and is confronted with serious challenges both internally and externally and that if the UCC is to be imposed, breaching the Article 371-A, it will certainly shake the very foundation of the State's relationship with the Centre and requests the Commission to exempt Nagaland from the purview of implementing the Uniform Civil Code.
Minister Shri K G Kenye also stated that the issue on the autonomous Council for the Eastern Nagaland People's Organization ENPO is on the verge of finalization and that a consultation will be held before it is drafted out. Talking about the Manipur Violence, the Minister showed his utter dismay over the situation that happened, stating that it was totally against humanity and a crime against humans and unacceptable. He said that the people should leave no stone unturned, that the culprits deserve no judgment and should be hunted down to the end of the world while stating that the State is concerned and has been observing the situation.
On the Urban Local Bodies election, Minister KG Kenye said that the the Courts hearing is ongoing today and the State government has presented the case in the best way possible to the Advocate General Bal Gopal and the Additional Solicitor General of India, he hopes that the Supreme Court Of India under any circumstances will not do injustice for the fate of the State.(ANI)