Nagaland: NSF appeals for indigenous representation in ULB elections

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to the people of the state to ensure exclusive indigenous representation in the ensuing Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in the state.

The NSF stated that its advocacy is beyond Naga Municipal Act to protect the identity of Nagas of Nagaland.

Briefing the media, NSF vice president Mteisuding, and general secretary Chumben Khuvung, underscored the need to ensure that the voices and aspirations of the indigenous Naga populace are authentically represented in all decision-making processes and reiterated their firm stand on the indigenous representation in municipal and town councils.

“Electing non-Naga individuals to local governance positions poses a significant risk to the preservation of the cultural heritage of Nagas,” NSF said.

“Candidates must be Nagas by blood, not by adoption”, NSF added.

The NSF firmly opposes the candidacy of women married to non-locals, stressing the deep connection between governance, culture, and identity, which together shape Nagaland’s socio-political landscape.

General Secretary Khuvung stated that the NSF has nothing to do with Indian election nor is bias neither to detect any individuals but there to protect the rights and interests of the Naga indigenous people.

Despite the call for abstention by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, as many as 61 nominations were filed from Eastern Nagaland on the last day of filing of papers for the forthcoming Urban Local Body elections in Nagaland.