Dimapur, March 17 (MExN): In stark contrast to some tribal Hohos and entities demanding implementation of the Delimitation Act 2002, both the Western Angami Public Organization (WAPO) and the Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) has called for implementation of the Act.
The WAPO terms it unacceptable that the exercise should affect any western Angami area under any circumstances and makes a stand against ‘disbanding’ the “western Angami Group Area”.
The WAPO held an emergency meeting on March 16, informed a note from the organization through its General Secretary Rovigwelhou Chusi. In the meeting the following points were resolved: that delimitation affecting western area (Angami) is “unacceptable” under any condition; that the western areas will not be disbanded. There will also be a general meeting on March 19 at 10am in Secu Zubza (Monday). The WAPO informs all concern area people to attend the meeting without fail.
The CPO in a separate statement also urged the Delimitation Commission to maintain status quo. The CPO opposed any exercise in the state on the basis of the “controversial” 2001 census. The CPO in a meeting on March 16 unanimously resolved to protest the Draft Working Paper on the proposal for the division of the state into assembly and parliamentary constituencies on the basis of 2001 census data.
The CPO maintained that the existing constituencies in Phek has “maintained socio-economic and political balance and is conducive for all geographical features and communication”. Thirty years of association in the existing condition under one election and political district has tremendously developed social understanding, mutual respect and goodwill will for each other respecting the diversity of dialect, culture, custom and traditional habits, the CPO stated. It also pointed out that discrepancies and variation of population in the existing constituencies are within 25, 000 to 33, 000 which are “reasonable” and have general acceptance. “Any attempt to disturb the present equilibrium will definitely shatter the unity and fraternity of the people in the district and hence, contravene the spirit of the delimitation act 2002” the CPO cautioned.
Urging the commission to maintain status quo till such time the number of constituencies are either increased of decreased, the CPO said to oppose any delimitation exercise taken on the basis of the 2001 census.
Relative to this, the Southern Angami Public Organization is also against the Draft Working Paper and stands not to accept the current proposal. “The SAPO is aggrieved and is totally against the present proposal for delimitation and the house resolved to uphold the nomenclature of the existing Assembly constituencies of Southern Angami I and II” stated a note appended by SAPO President Phelukhwe Kirha and General Secretary Ketsodil Neikha. A SAPO meeting on the 17th observed that “the present arrangement” will affect the “ancestral affinity” of the area with relative impact on the socio-political integrity and so the proposal shall not be accepted.
