DIMAPUR, AUGUST 20 (MExN): The Ao Senden today made known that its case against the government and the delimitation commission, challenging the proposed delimitation exercise of political constituencies on the basis of 2001 census, that would affect reduction of certain assembly seats in Mokokchung district is in active consideration and in their favour.
On this matter, several rounds of hearings have been carried out in Gauhati High Court from May 31 to August 16. “As entrusted by the Ao community we have been trying persistently to protect our legitimate rights as per provision of the law for the interest of the people,” a press release said.
The Gauhati High Court on August 16 passed an interim order directing that, in the state of Nagaland the district-wise seat allocation will not be disturbed due to the delimitation exercise. The next hearing of the PIL is on October 15.
“This development needs to be made known to the public that in support of our rights, the Gauhati High Court has also sincerely noted that, the step taken by the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland through a unanimous resolution opposing the process of delimitation exercise which would adversely affect the present situation in Nagaland.
“The unique situation and historical evolution coupled with long spell of insurgency in the region is also one of the major factors that convinced the Central Government and the Delimitation Commission to look into the grievances of the state of Nagaland.”
The Court has directed New Delhi to further identify any other inter-related issues in public interest and to place them before the Court on or before the next date of hearing.
Significantly, Secretary of the Delimitation Commission, Shangara Ram, had on August 17 issued a press statement that said, “The Delimitation Commission having completed and notified the work in respect of twenty-five States of the country, it would be obligatory for the Central Government to have the Presidential Order issued for the implementation of the readjustment in respect of 513 Lok Sabha and 3726 Assembly Constituencies in these States.
“The fact that the work in respect of the four North-Eastern States has been delayed because of the court orders is no reason for not implementing the orders already notified by Delimitation Commission, which have the force of law under the Delimitation Act, 2002.”
And in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today, Union Minister for Law and Justice HR Bhardwaj revealed that the term of the Delimitation Commission has been extended till July 31, 2008 to complete its work.
“The population criteria for undertaking delimitation have been set down by the Parliament itself. Government has, however, received representations challenging the delimitation exercise on various grounds including inter alia that it would threaten the ethnic structure of political representation of North-Eastern States and some other states as well.”
.jpg)
