Plea to hold election to NC Hills Autonomous Council soon

A Correspondent

Haflong, June 6: With the request for review of the notification dated 31.05.2018 and to hold election to the NC Hills Autonomous Council immediately, Samarjit Haflongbar, former MLA and CEM of NC Hills Autonomous Council, submitted a representation to the Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Assam, Hills Area Department through the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao on Tuesday. The representation maintained that the term of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council was till June 3, 2018 and before the expiry of the term, the Deputy Commissioner of Haflong by a letter dated 17.02.2018 had sent a schedule of dates to the Secretary, Assam State Election Commission, for the conduct of election to the 12th North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council showing the final date of poll to be 10.04.2018.

Thereafter, the Deputy Commissioner by a letter dated 31.03.2018, appraised the Commissioner and Secretary, Government of Assam, Hills Area Department, informing that there would be difficulties in holding the election as 80 per cent of the officers and staff were engaged in NRC update work and there was a direction from Supreme Court not to spare any of the staff engaged in NRC update work, except one Additional Deputy Commissioner.

The Commissioner and Secretary, HAD, Government of Assam, by notification dated 31.05.2018 extended the term of council for a period of six months w.e.f. 03.06.2018 or till the date of first sitting after the completion of the fresh poll to the NCHAC. Samarjit Haflongbar said the term of the council had been extended without any justification and in violation of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. He urged for immediate steps for review of the notification dated 3105.2018 by which the term of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council had been extended for a period of 6 (six) months and to hold the election to the NCHAC immediately.