DIMAPUR, MARCH 30 (MExN): Replying to a news report carried in The Morung Express titled, ‘Village Chiefs say no to separation of judiciary’ which appeared in the March 29 issue, Assistant Solicitor General of India and a senior advocate Ketulhu Meruno today said, “Separation of judiciary from the Executive has nothing to do with our customs or customary laws.” By citing Article 371-A of the Constitution, the legal representative said Naga customary law is protected by the very same Article. “In other words, the Constitutional Rights can be interpreted only by the Higher Judiciary and not by the Lower Judiciary and in view of that, Nagas have nothing to lose or fear from the separation of Judiciary but stands to gain by the separation.”
Meruno said once the judiciary is divorced from the executive, then the executive becomes only an organ to implement the laws (bills) passed by the legislature and the functions of the judiciary is to ensure that the implementation of laws are done justly and not in arbitrary manner. “In fact, by separation of Judiciary from the Executive, the only responsibility of maintaining the Customary Laws and Practices of the Nagas shift upon the Judiciary and in my opinion, the Judiciary is the best organ to do so. The disjointing of the two pillars of government will allow justice to be delivered without fear or favour”, he said.
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