Admitting petition in HC itself a victory: NPF

Kohima, Jan 10 (UNI) The Nagaland's People Front (NPF) today claimed that it was a victory for the party after Gauhati High Court admitted their writ petition challenging the Centre's imposition of President's Rule.

NPF leader and MLA Yivatchu had filed the writ petition on behalf of the outgoing Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) before the High Court yesterday.

NPF press secretary Abu Metha said the first hearing took place yesterday without any opposition from the council representing the Centre and state government officials.

The court had asked the Centre to file a counter affidavit by January 25 and fixed the next hearing on February five next.

The petition was heard by a division bench of Chief Justice Jasti Chelemaswar and Justice A Postangbam who admitted it for hearing.

Renowned legal luminary and constitutional expert Soli S Sorabjee appeared for the petitioner.

The Union Cabinet decided on recommendation of Central rule last week as the Neiphu Rio government in the north eastern state had been beset with political uncertainty.

Last month, as many as 30 legislators met the President seeking dismissal of the Rio government as it had lost a majority on the floor of the 60-member Assembly.

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government, formed by the NPF, BJP, JD(U) and Independents, was dismissed on January 3 following imposition of President's rule.

UNI AS PP AKJ BD1622