By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, January 17: Even as Ringui (Tongou) village in western Ukhrul recently hit the headlines by declaring its revolutionary decision to allow elected female representatives into its traditional village court as well as in the Church administration of the village, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of Tangkhul community is earnestly seeking a consensus of opinion from various quarters from across the district after Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) recently petitioned for admission of women`™s representatives to the decision-making process of the apex body.
It may be recalled that TSL last year submitted a petition to the apex body seeking inclusion of its representatives by way of amendment to TNL`™s Riyan (By-laws) during the ongoing constitutional review of the latter.
Talking to Imphal Free Press in this regard, TNL general secretary K Dickson informed that currently a 7-member By-laws review committee comprising of former TNL functionaries and Tangkhul intellectuals, is looking at the possibilities of the proposal by seeking varied opinions from across the community so as to reach a consensus on the matter.
`Since TNL is an all-encompassing body of the whole Tangkhul community, it is bound to obtain consensus before making any decision regarding the matter in question,` he said while also adding that for the proposal to see the light of day, there must be a consensus of opinion among all the frontal organizations under TNL and the public of the district.
`The committee has had three sittings so far to discuss inter alia the TSL`™s proposal over the last few months, but the final decision on the matter will be known only after completion of the current constitutional review process` he added.