‘Delimitation Act will not affect next election’
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 13
While the Guwahati High Court’s Interim Order of April 10 last may cause unnecessary delay in the implementation of controversial Delimitation Act, putting a momentary halt to the unrest amongst the people of the four districts, Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen, today appealed to the people not to be alarmed or suspicious as the Act even if implemented will not come into effect in the next election. This, he said, has been confirmed from the Commission Chairman, Kuldeep Singh.
It was learnt that the Guwahati High Court, which held a hearing on April 10 last, with regards to the Public Interest Litigation filed by Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), challenging the inflated population figure in some districts of the state, has reportedly asked the State and Commission to put off the exercise till July, until the final hearing is conducted.
Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen, who admitted that he had heard about the high court order, but, is yet to receive the order, said that it may put the State government in great hurry as well as creating more confusion.
Although, some source said that the court’s interim order has not completely stopped the commission from carrying out delimitation exercise during the interim period, as it has to do only with the unprecedented inflated population figure in 2001 Census, it may cause unnecessary delay in the implementation of the Act as the Commission’s tenure winds up in July next.
Mannen also termed that the personal attack made on the Associate Members by people of four districts as unfounded saying that they are acting only on the resolution of the State Assembly.
“It has been passed 2-3 times in the State Assembly, where all the political parties, both national and regional has agreed upon, and we are fulfilling that only,” Mannen said, while urging that no one should not make the issue subjective, but to make it objective. Such personal attacks made on the associate members do not paint a good picture in the eyes of others. Mannen also went on to assert that truth, as to whether they are playing a partial and discriminatory role or not, will be revealed as and when the Commission’s Chairman visits the State and see for himself.
Mannen also said that the hue and cry over the issue made by the people of Wokha, Peren, Longleng, Kiphire and Tseminyu districts are only ‘unfounded alarm and suspicion’.
“It is much ado about little thing, as the Act, even if implemented will not be applicable in the next election,” Mannen said, adding that the problem have been compounded by the demand of the four districts for total implementation of the Delimitation Act 2002.
The Delimitation Commission has agreed to visit the State for physical verification by conducting a public hearing, however, this proposed visit may be hindered by the Court interim order, source said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee of the four districts, fighting for total implementation of the Act said that it will abide by the court decision, but cautioned that it will decide it next course of action after the court’s final verdict.
Idailung Thau, Jt Secy of the Committee said that they will wait for the final court verdict as they are also obligated to the Constitution of India, while protecting their rights.
