JUDGMENT :

This writ petition is directed against the appointment of the respondents No. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12 as the Village Council Member (VCM) of Botsa Village under Sub-division Chiephobozou in the district of Kohima, Nagaland.

2. Heard Mr. Imti Longjem, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Kekhriengulie, learned Additional Advocate General, Nagaland for the State respondents No. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Also heard Mr. A. Zho, learned counsel for the private respondents No. 7 to 12.

3. The Botsa village was established in the year 1947 in the community land of Tuophema village by some elders of Tuophema village. The village has a separate and a distinct identity from the parent village. The village is recognized by the Government of Nagaland and has a separate and independent village council constituted in accordance with the Nagaland Village Council Act, 1978 (hereinafter referred to as the Act).

4. That sometime in the year 2019, the village council of Tuophema wanted the name of the Botsa village to be changed to Touphe-Botsa and communicated the same to Botsa village council.