Gauhati High Court stays Delimitation in Nagaland

Kohima, Apr 14(UNI) The Gauhati High Court has issued an interim order, staying the delimitation process, under the Delimitation Act, 2002, in Nagaland till July 2007.

According to last Tuesday's hearing by the Gauhati High Court in connection to a Public Interest Litigation(PIL) filed by the Chakhesang Public Organisation(CPO), which has challenged the "inflated" population figure in some districts of Nagaland, has reportedly asked the state government and Nagaland Commissioner to put off the exercise till the final hearing.

Nagaland Commissioner T N Mannen, who admitted about hearing the High Court order, said that he was yet to receive the copy of the order.

He further said that the order might create confusion and appealed to the people not to be suspicious as the Delimitation Act, even if implemented, would not come into effect not before the coming Assembly elections, scheduled in February 2008.

''The Chairman of the Delimitation Commission Kuldip Singh has confirmed this,'' sources said.

Official sources said the High Court's interim order has not completely stopped the Commission from carrying out delimitation exercise during the interim period. However, it might cause unnecessary delay in the implementation of the Act as the Delimitation Commission's tenure winds up in July 2007.

The Delimitation Commission has agreed to visit the state for physical verification by conducting a public hearing.

UNI