Dimapur, April 4 (MExN): The public of Kiphire district has demanded implementation of the Delimitation Act 2002 (amended 2003) and to this effect resolved to boycott the forthcoming general elections if the Act is not implemented. A meeting was held on March 27 in Kiphire over the issue. A representation addressed to the chairman of the Delimitation Commission, Delhi, and signed by major civil organizations leaders and political leaders, including the NPF and Congress, stated that the details of pros and cons were discussed carefully. The members unanimously took several resolutions for the commission to take necessary action.
The state delimitation committee as well as the Delimitation Commission of India should implement in Toto the Delimitation Act 2002, amended 2003. Unless this is implemented the general elections (2008) will be boycotted, the representation stated. It pointed out that as per census 2001, the total population of Kiphire stood at 1, 06,105 which if divided by two constituencies comes to 53, 052 each whereas in other “advanced districts” the population in every constituency consists of 20, 000 to 25, and 000. The representation questioned where justice and equality for the district is.
“In order to save their seats, the advanced districts are all out playing various tactics to brainwash the Delimitation Commission of India by giving out the wrong reasoning. Therefore the State Delimitation Commission is advised to avoid fooling the Delimitation Commission of India and the backward district” it stated. The state government should also utilize their position for safeguarding the interest of the people and not use its influence for self-interest and damning “backward districts”, it advised. The representation affirmed determination and solidarity for implementation of the Delimitation Act 2002, and amended in 2003.
In a separate representation to the commission’s chairman, Kiphire Town Sangtam Students’ Union, Sumi Students Union Kiphire Town, Yimchunger Students’ Union Kiphire and Kiphire area Sangtam Students’ Union demanded ‘immediate implementation.’ The unions stated that Kiphire students are insecure about the survival of their future “for keeping us under question mark as there is no justice in terms of political, economic social and education imbalance in the state.” This imbalance can be corrected by implementing the act in the district. While pointing out the population of Kiphire, the students stated that the state delimitation Commission and state government should have acknowledged that the peace process is totally different from the delimitation of assembly constituencies. It has nothing to do with the Naga political issue, the representation reminded while expressing solidarity with the Joint Action Committee of tribe Hohos that was formed to press for implementation of the Act.
