The SC was taking up a petition which says a proposal adopted by the NPC to merge the northern and eastern provinces for a federal system of governance under a new constitution gives rise to a division of the country and a reemergence of terrorism.

Other respondents are ITAK leader Mavai Senathiraja, NPC chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam and NPC secretary S. Padmanathan.

Sivagnanam has told BBC Sandeshaya that they were already taking up the matter with lawyers.

There in no intention of dividing the country, he said, adding the two provinces remained merged in the past.

Sivagnanam said they would appear before the SC out respect for courts.

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