Using neon hollow cathode lamp and employing laser optogalvanic technique, we have studied population redistribution in the 2p^53p multiplet. The spectra recorded in the laser energy region of 23300cm^-^1 -23600cm^-^1 show transitions originating from both the laser excited levels as well as from an adjacent level whose population builds up as a result of collisional deactivation. Employing the optical delay technique, we have been able to extract decay rates associated with the collisional population mixing of the p levels.