Kakiho-Old Jalukie Village Issue: SC says Nagaland Govt ‘reluctant to intervene,’ reserves judgment

January 13, 2025 4 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 13

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on the issue concerning Old Jalukie and Kakiho Village, while observing that the Nagaland State Government seems to be reluctant to intervene to resolve the matter between the two villages.

When the matter was called for hearing on January 7, the Nagaland Chief Secretary and Home Commissioner, along with the heads of Old Jalukie and Kakiho’s village councils, were also present as directed by the apex court on December 3, 2023.

During the last hearing, a two-judge bench of the apex Court, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, had directed their personal appearances to “give one chance to all the parties to make good their case” before its final verdict.

The bench then flayed the Nagaland State Government’s handling of the issue, noting that it appeared to have been pending since 2009.

“Unfortunately, the State Government has not been able to take any final decision on whether to grant the necessary recognition as prayed for by Kakiho Village,” it then observed.

Thus, the Chief Secretary and Home Commissioner were further directed to apprise the bench of the steps the State intends to take to resolve the dispute.

In the January 7 order, Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan noted that they had “tried to understand the exact controversy between the two councils,” but flagged the State Government’s apparent reluctance to intervene in the case.

“It appears that for some reason the State is reluctant to intervene and try to resolve the dispute between the two villages,” the order stated.

“In such circumstances, we have no choice but to deliver a judgment. Arguments concluded. Judgment reserved,” it added.
However, the counsels appearing for the parties were asked to file their written submissions along with case law, if any, they propose to rely upon, within a period of one week from January 7.

AS per court records, the Bench was hearing the Special Leave to Appeal (C) challenging the final judgment and order dated 07-10-2015 in WA No. 6/2015 passed by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

As per the December 3, 2024, order, the High Court’s order dated October 7, 2015, which is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court, had “clearly observed that the inter-district boundary dispute has nothing to do with the recognition of Kakiho Village.”