NEW DELHI, Feb 28 - The Centre on Friday ordered delimitation exercise in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland citing improvement in the internal security situation.
A Central notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice said that whereas the Delimitation Commission completed the delimitation exercise and the Delimitation Order, 2008 in respect of all States, except Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
The President in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 10A of the Delimitation Act, 2002 (33 of 2002), and on being satisfied that a situation had arisen where the unity and integrity of India was likely to be threatened and there was serious threat to the peace and public order, deferred the delimitation exercise in Assam on February 8, 2008.
As there is a significant improvement in the security situation in the State of Assam. There is also reduction in insurgency incidents and improvement in law and order of these States making the situation conducive for carrying out the delimitation exercise which was deferred in 2008.
Therefore, it appears that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise in Assam have ceased to exist and that the delimitation of the constituencies as envisaged under the Delimitation Act, 2002 could be carried out now.
Now, the President, being satisfied that the circumstances that led to the deferring of the delimitation exercise in Assam have ceased to exist, is pleased to rescind the notification of February 8, 2008.
In case of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland also the delimitation exercise was ordered on the same ground.
As there is a significant improvement in the security situation in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland there is also reduction in insurgency incidents and improvement in law and order of the States making the situation conducive for carrying out the delimitation exercise which was deferred in the States in 2008.
On January 10, 2008, the then UPA government through a Cabinet resolution deferred the delimitation exercise in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland besides Jharkhand. The case of Manipur went to Supreme Court.
The then UPA government had cited deteriorating law-and-order situation for deferring the exercise.
