Morung Express News
Kohima | September 26
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on Tuesday granted the Additional Advocate General (AG) of Nagaland a two-week extension as a ‘last chance to either comply with the Court's Order or face consequential proceedings thereafter’ concerning a matter related to Seyochung village.
During the hearing before Justice Kardak Ete, the Additional AG, representing the State Chief Secretary and Nagaland Commissioner, presented a communication dated September 25, requesting more time.
The matter had been “resubmitted to the Cabinet on September 4, 2023, for consideration and further directions, with appropriate instructions still pending,” it informed.
However, the judge's order observed that the matter of complying with the Court's order has been dragging for a long time with the State respondents repeatedly seeking extensions on various pretexts.
Accordingly, the Order stated that the Court “deprecates” of such actions; however, in the interest of justice, grants a 'last chance to either comply with the Court's Order.'
It should be noted that during the last hearing on July 3, the Additional AG informed the Bench that the State Government would submit an affidavit detailing the steps taken in response to the recommendations made by the 'One Man Enquiry Committee' regarding a dispute in Seyochung village, Kiphire.
As per the Court’s records, the case pertains to “certain dispute” in Seyochung village amongst two tribes i.e. Sumi and Sangtam “relating to claim of customary rights of the original inhabitance of the village and the contesting parties approached this Court by filing writ petitions.”
On November 28, 2018, the Court disposed off the petition by directing the Chief Secretary, Nagaland and Home Commissioner, Nagaland to pass appropriate order within a period of three months from date of the order in terms of the report of the One-Man Enquiry Committee'
With the State respondents failing to comply with the order, the contempt petition was filed and first heard on October 31, 2019. The matter has been dragging on since then.
