Delhi hoodwinked by Assc Members?
Dimapur, April 2 (MExN): The Delimitation Commission of India is not aware of the current readjustment exercises and the consequent tumult arising in Nagaland over the delimitation and that the Nagaland commission is acting on its own covertly? Contrary to the readjustments going on, the Associated Members and Member of the Delimitation Commission of Nagaland did not brief the Delimitation Commission of the ongoing process of delimitation in the state but only pressed the DCI to maintain status quo asserting that the Naga civil society, including tribal Hohos, have “all agreed” to the status quo.
This startling revelation came to light when a delegation of Rengma Hoho officials Delimitation Commission of India met with DCI chairman Justice Kuldeep Singh on March 28 at New Delhi. The Rengma Hoho had also submitted a memorandum to the Commission that the Delimitation Act 2002 should be fully implemented in Nagaland. The delegation pointed out to the commission that seat readjustment within the district without transferring seats from one district to others, is infringement of the Act itself. And the ongoing process in Nagaland is not delimitation process at all but major tribes’ manipulation of the delimitation process to continue to retain seats beyond their entitlement by depriving the rights and entitlement of minor tribes in Nagaland, the Commission was informed.
On this, the Commission reportedly told the Rengma Hoho delegation that the Associated Members and Member of the Delimitation Commission of Nagaland did not brief the DCI about the matters highlighted above. The members of the Delimitation Commission of Nagaland had only pressed the DCI to maintain status quo “which was agreed upon by all Hohos, public organizations.” The DCI was also apprised of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly undertaking a resolution to that effect.
The Rengma delegation, on its part made clear to the Commission that the Rengma Hoho is not in agreement to the resolution to maintain status quo but stands for complete delimitation implementation in Nagaland. The DCI reportedly assured the Hoho that “justice would be done.”
The Rengma Hoho was also invited to a meeting on March 21 by Minister Dr Shurhozelie, to discuss delimitation for Kohima district. At the meeting it was found that NPF party leaders including ministers and MLAs of Kohima had already worked out a new draft ‘proposal’ for Kohima’s 7 constituencies including Tseminyu Assembly Constituency, in a meeting held on the 19th. The Hoho was told that the meeting was simply to endorse the proposal. No Rengma leader was invited/included while the proposal was being prepared on the 19th. It was only then that the Hoho came to know of the draft and on this, refused to comply for endorsement and rather demanded complete delimitation. Further, a meeting attendance roll was passed around for signatures. However, it was later discovered that the “attendance roll” actually the back of the draft paper. The Rengma Hoho, meanwhile, is outraged and has rejected the status quo stand of the NLA.
Phom Peoples’ Council demands Delimitation in Toto
The Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC), the apex tribal body of the Phom tribe has in clear terms demanded for the full implementation of the Delimitation Act 2002 (amended in 2003) as per Working Paper—I in the district of Longleng according to the 2001 census. In a representation to the Chairman of the Delimitation Commission of India, the PPC vehemently objected to the resolution passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on August 20, 2005 seeking ‘exemption of Nagaland from the Delimitation Act 2002’ as also the 14th session of the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly to effect minor readjustment within the district. “This is clear violation of our constitutional right and directive and methodology of the Delimitation Commission”, the PPC stated in its representation signed by N. Metpong, President and P. Manpong, General Secretary. The PPC also stated that it objects in Toto the Associate Members from Nagaland to the Delimitation Commission of India, which is purely one sided and undemocratic, it stated. “No member is represented from the tribes or district which genuinely stands to gain Assembly seats from the Delimitation Act 2002”, the PPC stated.
The PPC while making it clear that it was strongly opposed to the present readjustment of Assembly constituencies within the district and renaming of 49 A/C Tamlu as Yongnyah, stated that it supported the representation earlier submitted to the Delimitation Commission by the Joint Action Committee representing the tribal hohos of Longleng, Wokha, Kiphire, Peren and unit hohos of Kohima and Dimapur district.
‘Avoid constitutional, law and order crises’
The Kohima based tribal Hohos of the three districts of Longleng, Peren, Wokha and Tseminyu sub-division of Kohima district has unanimously decided to give unconditional support to the Joint Action Committee on delimitation at a meeting today and appealed to the Delimitation Commission to implement delimitation in letter and spirit as enshrined in the Act, adding that failure to implement the Act will be a mockery to democracy and “inviting law and order problems which will lead to a constitutional crisis”, it stated.
In a press communiqué signed by Lotha Hoho President (Kohima) N Ngullie, Phom Union Kohima President NM Puchem, Rengma Public Union Kohima President SK Rengma and Zeliangrong Union Kohima President K. Mark Guing, the hohos demanded from the Member and Associate Members of the State Delimitation Commission, to implement the Delimitation Act 2002 (as amended in 2003) without any bias according to the tribal population of 2001 census figure.
