Morung Express News
Kohima | April 27
Tug of war between ‘for and against’ the implementation of the Delimitation Act, 2002 appeared to have reached its zenith as various political parties and tribal hohos stood before the commission, powerfully giving their own justifications over the issue during the two days meeting at Dimapur. During Wednesday’s political parties’ meeting with the commission, it was learnt that the voices ‘for and against’ delimitation was fifty-fifty. The BJP, JDU, RJD and NCP reportedly supported the total implementation of the Act, while the opposition Congress and the ruling NPF party disfavored its implementation in Toto.
When contacted, Nagaland Commissioner, T.N. Mannen while affirming that the members of different political parties expressed uncompromising and diverging point of views, this was based not on the party affiliation but depending on their district. “There was no unanimity of a single party, people from the same party expressed different opinion depending not on their parties but on which district they belonged.” Referring to Naga Hoho general secretary Neingulo Krome’s suggestion that the number of assembly seats in the state be increased so that no district suffered the loss of its seats, the commissioner said that the idea was not likely to be considered by the Government of India. While admitting that the arrangement which was first suggested in the cssembly would have been ideal, according to the very Act of Delimitation, it was totally out of question and therefore ruled out.
Unofficial sources also alleged that the government of Nagaland is trying its best to stall the implementation of the Act, but claimed that the outcome of the meeting with the Delimitation Commission has shown a positive sign. “The meeting has shown a very positive sign. It should be implemented. Only equal representation can give justice to the people”, a JAC member said after the meeting.
Although, the tribal hohos were not given any time for argument, heated debate or to react to one another during Thursday’s meeting, sufficient time and opportunity were allotted to ventilate all their apprehensions, source said. All the tribal hohos expressed their own justifications and stands before the committee members, source added.
The three members- committee of the Delimitation Commission did not make any comment during the meeting, but, was reported to have stated that it was here in the state only to ‘listen’ to the voice and opinion of the people. The Committee will take video taping of the meetings, news clippings and all other materials connected to the issue to be submitted before the Commission panel for final judgment. The commission is a court in itself, with Kuldeep Singh who is a retired Supreme Court judge as the Chairman. As such it will have the authority to pass its own judgment on the issue.
The panel is likely to sit only after the final hearing by Guwahati High Court on the PIL filed by Chakhesang organizations, which has been slated for May 3, 2007. The decision of the commission may be announced only after the verdict of the court is out, source disclosed.
After the two-day meeting, the Delimitation Commission visited the state capital Kohima for a whistle stop before leaving for New Delhi on Friday morning.
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