Dimapur, June 16 (EMN): Eleven apex tribe bodies have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defer the delimitation exercise in Nagaland till the Indo-Naga political issue is settled.
In a joint letter to the prime minister of India, the presidents of eleven tribe bodies -- Sumi, Sangtam, Yimchunger, Chang, Khiamniungan, Pochury, Konyak, Ao, Chakhesang, Angami and Zeliang (Zeliang People’s Organisation, Kohima) -- informed that there was a meeting of the 14 tribes of Nagaland on June 12 in Kohima in connection with the delimitation exercise plan of the Centre government.
During the meeting, the signatories resolved to “apprise the government” for peaceful and early solution to the Indo-Naga political issue before the implementation of delimitation, the letter stated.
“After several rounds of deliberation between the government of India and the Naga political groups, it was agreed to resolve the Naga political issue through amicable negotiation and understanding of the factual position of the settlement. On the contrary, it was also agreed for the formation of the guiding principles for future course of dialogues and negotiations whereby the government of India has agreed to constitute an empowered high power committee to demarcate the boundaries with respect to the state of Nagaland. Moreover, it was agreed between the government of India and the Naga political groups to have a democratically elected Nagaland legislature under the name and style of ‘Leacy Hoho’ and number of constituencies and seats to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to be increased respectively. On several occasions you have assured us that the settlement would be done very soon.
“While we are eagerly waiting for an early solution, we are much dismayed on the steps taken by the government of India to go ahead with the delimitation exercise in the state of Nagaland. In this regard, we would like to apprise you that if the process of delimitation exercise is allowed to proceed, there will be another delimitation exercise all over again after the finalisation of the Naga political issue inasmuch as the number of seats for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the state assembly constituencies will be increased and necessary consequential action for redrawing the parliamentary and assembly constituencies shall be followed,” read the letter.
The signatories contended that implementation of delimitation exercise at this juncture, when the Indo-Naga issue is yet to be settled, would be “incongruous”.