Dimapur, July 2 (MExN): The Delimitation Commission of India today refused to notify the draft proposal submitted by the state associate members in favor of maintaining status quo in Nagaland with regarding to the delimitation of assembly constituencies in the state.
The state commission submitted the draft proposal in favor of status quo, at around 11 am today. The associate members in the delimitation commission, include Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen, Chief Election Officer Ponraj, Home Minister Thenucho and MLA Nyiewang Konyak, MLA Chuba and MP Wangyuh Konyak. They met with the Delimitation Commission in Delhi. However, the commission failed to notify it following the strong representation submitted by the Joint Action Committee of tribal Hohos on Delimitation objecting not only the draft proposal but also the CPO’s PIL challenging the 2001 census which was postponed to July 16, for the final hearing.
As per Guwahati High Court’s judgment of June 27, the Delimitation Commission is to notify the draft proposal put forth by the associate members today. Meanwhile, the JAC members who are also in Delhi met with the Delimitation Commission of India and reiterated that all should have equal representation in Nagaland. The JAC joint secretary Idailung accused the associate members of not following the guidelines laid down by the commission.
He said that the three-member commission has recommended the implementation of Delimitation Act based on tribal population of the 2001 census. However, the associate members manipulated the whole issue, he alleged. Defending the 2001 census, Idailung also said just ‘because of some politicians,’ the state government should not term the 2001 census as ‘erroneous.’
He charged that the state government is preparing a budget and are availing development-fund basing on the 2001 census. The census has been published in Nagaland Gazette while the Municipal Council elections are also to be held according to the 2001 census. In this context, to term the 2001 census as ‘bogus’ is ridiculous, he said.
Idailung said the JAC would set a challenge unless ‘justice is done.’
“We are hoping that Delimitation Commission will use its wisdom and see that the draft proposal is in the interest of the Nagas,” he added.
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