Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday extended the terms of NC Hills Autonomous Council by another six months with effect from June 3. Ruling coalition AGP has decided to move court against the governor’s order.
Commissioner and Secretary Hills Area Department A U Choudhury issued a notification in this regard on Thursday following an order by the governor. The term of the present Council will expire on June 3 on completion of five years.
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Since 80 percent of staff and officers are engaged in updating NRC, it will be difficult hold Council election, the notification said.
Reacting to the governor’s order, former NCHAC Chief Executive Member (CEM) and AGP Organising Secretary Debojit Thousen told Northeast Now “We are going to court. We expected this. We had done it before in 2007 when we got a stay order against the then Council headed by late Purnendu Langthasa. It is not a new situation. We have a favourable chance because of the recent Gauhati High Court order regarding panchayat election. That is also based on NRC and this is also based on NRC.”
Thousen said, “If Panchayat election can be held by September then Council election can be held before, after or along with panchayat and till then we will ask the court to put it under governor’s rule as the mandate of the people is only for five years which is going to end on June 3. If it is a case of NRC let the election be delayed as per the order of the High Court regarding panchayat but till then the mandate of the people and the constitution should also be respected and abided by the terms of the Council.”
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On May 21, the Dima Hasao district unit of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) staged protest at the Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner’s office premises at Haflong demanding election to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) on time.