Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 18
The Supreme Court on Thursday reportedly expressed displeasure over the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) passing a resolution repealing the Municipal Act 2001 and observed that the law of the land must be followed.
As per the Press Trust of India (PTI), the bench of Justices SK Kaul and A Amanullah noted that while it respects the local sentiments, it asserted authorities cannot let the ‘law of the land not prevail especially when there is nothing affecting the personal rights or personal laws.’
Accordingly, during the hearing on Thursday, the apex court said that the Centre has to find a solution in the matter.
“We respect the local sentiments but the law of the land must be followed and it is your duty as the Union government… You have to find a solution. We cannot let the law of the land not being followed,” the bench stated.
As per the report, the bench also told the counsel appearing for Nagaland that it has given long enough rope to the State in the matter.
“You are not willing to implement the assurances given to the court on the right or wrong pretext that there are groups who don’t want it and you don’t want to go against them,” it added, further wondering whether the government has “succumbed to the blackmail”.
“We have given you a long rope. Don’t make it so long that you hang yourself,” it observed, adding that “long rope also has its limitations,” listing the matter for further hearing in July.
It must be noted here that during the hearing on April 17, the apex court granted the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India two weeks' time to place the Union of India's stand on record as to whether the "constitutional scheme of 1/3rd reservation for Municipalities and Town Councils, in the opinion of the Central Government can be violated by the process so adopted by the Nagaland Government.”
It further noted that the 'process' adopted by the State Government on March 28, was an "ingenious method" to evade the undertaking given to the Court by the former.
On May 1, the ASG further sought two more weeks to comply with the April 17 order submitting that there are 'inter-Ministerial discussions' following the order and more time is needed for compliance.
The Apex court is currently hearing of a plea filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and others relating to the elections for all the Municipalities and Town Councils in Nagaland, including the constitutional mandate of 33% reservation for women.
