DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): S Supongmeren Jamir, Member of Parliament from Nagaland, on Monday raised the demand for a separate High Court for the state in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377, urging the central government to amend the North-East Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, to facilitate the establishment of the court.
Jamir highlighted that Nagaland, which became the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963, is the second senior-most state in the Northeast after Assam. However, despite provisions under Section 13 of the State of Nagaland Act, 1962, and Article 214 of the Constitution, the state remains without its own High Court.
"The States of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur have already established their own High Courts since 2013," Jamir said. "However, inspite of being the second senior most State next to Assam in the North-Eastern region and provisions under Section 13 of the State of Nagaland Act, 1962, Nagaland is deprived of the benefit of having a separate High Court."
At present, the Gauhati High Court serves as the common High Court for multiple Northeastern states, including Nagaland. A Circuit Bench was inaugurated in Kohima in 1972 and was later declared a Permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court on February 10, 1990.
Jamir noted that the Nagaland Cabinet had approved the setting up of a separate High Court on April 8, 2021, and had decided to pursue the matter with the central government. He further emphasized that the necessary infrastructure for a High Court is already in place, including a new High Court building complex at Meriema, which has seven courtrooms, eight separate bungalows, a separate building for the High Court Bar Association, and a cafeteria.
"For setting up of a High Court for the State of Nagaland, it would require an amendment of the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organization) Act, 1971," Jamir said, pointing out that a similar amendment was made in 2012 to facilitate the creation of separate High Courts in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur. He stressed that the amendment process falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He also referenced past correspondence on the matter, stating that on July 7, 2021, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, had written to the Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, requesting necessary action. On the same day, the Chief Secretary of Nagaland had also written to the Home Secretary, urging him to take steps to amend the Act during the Parliament session.
"However, the aspiration of the people of Nagaland remains a far cry," Jamir said. "I request through your chair to kindly plead Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to take up the issue urgently," he stated.
