Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced that the census in Nagaland has been delayed due to “unsettled court cases” involving some tribes, as was reported by Eastern Mirror.
As per findings by MT, this delay is likely linked to ongoing debates over Nagaland’s delimitation and the controversial 2001 Census data. The last delimitation exercise, conducted between 2002 and 2008, excluded Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. This exclusion stemmed from concerns regarding the accuracy of the 2001 Census data, which raised apprehensions among various stakeholders.
On February 8, 2008, the government issued an order deferring delimitation in Nagaland. The decision was based on the “peculiar tribal configuration” of the state. Authorities feared that using the 2001 Census for delimitation could disrupt tribal equilibrium, peace, and public order, and potentially alienate hilly and tribal populations. The realignment of boundaries was seen as a threat to the delicate tribal balance.
At that time, it was understood that delimitation in Nagaland, as well as in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand, was deferred until the relevant figures from the first census conducted after 2026 were published.
In 2020, a Delimitation Commission led by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was established to redraw constituencies based on population. While the Commission used the 2011 Census for Jammu and Kashmir, it relied on the 2001 Census for northeastern states, including Nagaland, as per the Delimitation Act of 2002.
The Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) has been at the forefront of opposing this decision. The CPO filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court, challenging the Centre’s decision to use 2001 Census data for delimitation in Nagaland. They argue that the 2011 Census or the ongoing 2021 Census should be used instead.
The CPO contends that the 2001 Census data for Nagaland is flawed and outdated, pointing out that “several fallacies and abnormalities” have persisted despite years of litigation. They advocate for a more accurate and current basis for the delimitation process.
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