Dimapur, March 4 (MExN): Leaders of tribal Hohos from four districts, in a representation letter to the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission of India stated that any exemption of Nagaland from the preview of the Delimitation Act must be done only through an amendment of the Act.
“If at all Nagaland is exempted from the purview of the delimitation exercises it can be done only by amendment of the Act by the Parliament and any action of the Delimitation Commission should be made by public Notification in the Official Gazette, but not by the way as a hand note as circulated by the Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner, Nagaland,” stated the release.
The representation letter came out against the recent news report from the Additional Chief Secretary that Nagaland has been exempted from the preview of the Delimitation Act and allowed to maintain status quo.
“(A news) report said that the Delimitation Commission of India has agreed for exemption of Nagaland from the purview of the Delimitation exercises and allowed it to maintain status quo with minor adjustments within the Districts without transferring any Constituency from one district to another. (News clippings enclosed). The claim of the Commissioner if true is unconstitutional” stated the release.
It may be mentioned that a representation letter was submitted to the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission of India by the leaders of tribal Hohos, namely the Phoms in Longleng, Yimchungers and Sangtams in Kiphire, Zeliangs of Peren and the Lothas of Wokha demanding the full implementation of Delimitation Act in Nagaland.
