T A RONGMEI Vs. STATE OF NAGALAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) WE have heard Mr. Imti Longchem, learned counsel for the petitioners-appellants, and Mr. L. S. Jamir, learned Government Advocate, appearing on behalf of the respondents.

(2.) BY making an application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, which gave rise to W. P. (C) No. 137 (K)/2001 (corresponding to W. P. (C) No. 95/1999), the appellants, as writ petitioners, sought for directions from the Court commanding the respondents to declare Rongmei community as a Scheduled Tribe of Nagaland by virtue of the Constitution Nagaland (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1970, read with Government Notifications, dated 28. 4. 77 and 22. 1. 81, issued by the Government of Nagaland, and such further directions as may be necessary in order to treat the Rongmei community as Scheduled Tribe of Nagaland and to give them all benefits and privileges available to a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe of Nagaland. The writ petition was registed by the respondents by contending, inter alia, that Rongmei community had never been recognized as Scheduled Tribe of the State of Nagaland, they did not fall under the said Presidential Order and that they were not entitled to any such declaration and/or privileges as had been claimed by them.

(3.) HAVING considered the pleadings of the parties, the relevant materials on record and the law relevant thereto, a learned Single Judge dismissed the writ petition by judgment and order, dated 10. 7. 2003, wherein it was observed as under :