Kohima, April 28 (MExN): The special leave petition on election matters relating to Municipal Councils in Nagaland is listed to be heard by the Supreme Court of India on April 30, 2013 (Tuesday). The case, to be heard by Chief Justice Altamaz Kabir, was filed by apex tribe bodies of Naga women through two petitioners from the Naga Mother’s Association. The petition seeks 33% reservation of seats for women in municipal councils of the state of Nagaland.
A press release from the Joint Action Committee on Women’s Reservation (JACWR) has informed that in a latest response to the notice served on them, the State government of Nagaland has responded by seeking dismissal of the petition while the State Election Commission has also responded to the notice served by the apex Court. The crucial election matter on Nagaland is listed as item number two. Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Dr. Colin Gonsalves, also Director of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), New Delhi, will represent Naga women, along with his team of lawyers from the HRLN.
The JACWR has expressed “deep gratitude” to all “women’s organisations and individual men and women, friends and family, who have encouraged and supported the legal fight for gender justice."
