WC-NNPG asks CM Rio to intervene in PIL hearing on NPNG rule
WC-NNPG asks CM Rio to intervene in PIL hearing on NPNG rules
Ahead of a suo moto PIL hearing on the constitutionality of Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) rules and regulations, scheduled before the division bench of Gauhati High Court, the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has apprised Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of ‘action to be taken’ on the orders of the Supreme Court on delimitation
DIMAPUR — Ahead of a suo moto PIL hearing on
the constitutionality of Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas (NPNG) rules and
regulations, scheduled before the division bench of Gauhati High Court on March
24, the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has urged
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to issue necessary directions to the state advocate
general to protect the “rights of the people of Nagaland”.
The WC-NNPG also apprised the chief minister of ‘action to
be taken’ on the orders of the Supreme Court on delimitation.
In a letter to the chief minister on Saturday, the WC-NNPG
reminded that the state government, as a facilitator of the Naga peace talks,
has assured Nagas on many occasions that it is prepared to pave the way for a
political solution.
“Therefore, it is the duty of the state government to place
the facts before the court that the matters deliberated in the court are
subjects of political negotiations between Nagas and the government of India.
“And that, any deliberation on the matter or a direction of
the court will be an infringement on the Indo-Naga peace talks since the
subject matter has been negotiated and already has a settled position,” the committee
asserted.
It also suggested to the state government to question the
silence of the Union of India and ask why the apex court has been kept
uninformed on the status of Indo-Naga political talks.
“We hope that the necessary directions will be given to
advocate general on the matter so that the rights of the people of Nagaland are
protected under your esteemed leadership,” it stated.
On delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies,
the WC-NNPG maintained that when the subject matter on delimitation of
constituencies came up in the Supreme Court, the solicitor general for the
government of India did not bring to the notice of the court the status of
Indo-Naga peace talks.
“It is on record that the political negotiations have
concluded as of 31st October 2019. In it, the government of India has agreed to
increase the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland to 80,”
the committee stated.
Such a settled position was reached for ratifying special
provisions and status that Nagas have in the Union of India, and that the
number of Lok Sabha seats would be increased to three from the existing single
seat, it added.
“The Gol agreed to the proposal of Working Committee of Naga
National Political Groups after the prolonged negotiations. It was pointed out
that the proportionality between Assembly seats and the Lok Sabha
constituencies in other smaller states too have similar arrangements.
“Moreover, any political struggle that predates India's
independence and simmering till today must have a special political agreement
to honour the political and historical rights of the Naga people,” it stated.
Further, the committee argued that since the state
government is in the process of implementing Registration of Indigenous
Inhabitant of Nagaland (RIN), the previous census records have no validity in
the state, and that delimitation under the present consideration of census is
not acceptable.
While demanding immediate measures from the state government
to stop the delimitation process in the state, the WC-NNPG also urged the
former to convey the resentment of the people of Nagaland to the Union
government for its failure to apprise both the Gauhati High Court and the
Supreme Court on the “already settled political position in the Indo-Naga peace
talks”.
The letter was jointly signed by MB Neokpao Konyak,
president of GPRN/NSCN (U); P Tikhak Naga, ato kilonser of NSCN/GPRN (R); and
Isak Sumi, ato kilonser of NSCN/GPRN (K). Both Tikhak and Isak are working
convenors of WC-NNPG.
