- Neikiesalie Nicky Kire of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has triggered a debate on Article 371(A) that guarantees special status for the people of Nagaland. He appealed to the Naga people not to use Article 371(A) to hinder development work.
- A few days ago he attributed the lack of development in Nagaland to Article 371(A) that safeguards the customary rights of the Nagas.
- According to Kire, land and its resources in Nagaland belong to the people and not the government. Landowners usually wield the provisions in Article 371(A) to prevent the government from carrying out developmental activities on their land.
About Article 371 (A)
- 371A. Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,
- (a) no Act of Parliament in respect of
- (i) religious or social practices of the Nagas,
- (ii) Naga customary law and procedure,
- (iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
- (iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.
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