Centre considering exemption of Christians tribal areas from UCC purview: State Govt

July 7, 2023 35 Views No Comment

Nagaland govt delegation led by CM meets UHM Amit Shah
Frontier Naga Territory issue will henceforth be tripartite

DIMAPUR, JULY 7(MExN): A delegation representing the Government of Nagaland led by the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio with the entire Cabinet including the Speaker, the 2 MPs and the Chief Secretary and the subordinate officials, met with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and the concerned central officials on July 4 and 5 in New Delhi.

A press statement issued by K G Kenye, minister and spokesman for the Government of Nagaland said the delegation appraised the Union Home Minister on the resentment and apprehensions surrounding the proposal for Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the serious repercussions it would have especially in the contest of Nagaland which is a Christian state and where the Article 371(A) of the constitution guarantees religious practices against all laws.

Responding to this, the Union Home Minister is learnt to have assured the delegation that the “centre is actively considering for exemption of Christians and some tribal areas from the purview of the 22nd Law Commission exercise.”

Stating that this response from the Union Home Minister came as a great relief as it will avert major upheavals, the delegation expressed its deepest appreciation and gratitude on behalf of all Christians.

On the ENPO issue related to granting of Frontier Naga Territory, the delegation were conveyed that that negotiations are on the verge of conclusion and the stage for preparation of the concept is on the anvil.

This period will outline the road-map defining the ultimate status and structure of the new entity. Clearing the air of all doubts and misconceptions, the delegation was informed that it will “hence forth be tripartite and include the state government for all purposes and at every stage in the approach to find a detail and final tripartite agreement.”

On the Naga political dialogue and the peace talks which have remained elusive, the delegation requested that it must be resolved and settled at the earliest since it has been dragging on for an unreasonable period of time. On the request not to make this a bottle neck for developmental works in the state, the Union Home Minister is stated to have assured that all major proposals of the PDA Government pending with the centre would be cleared very soon.

It also went to point out that the visit of the state with its full strength of this kind is very rare and not seen in the recent past hence.