ENPO President Kekongchim Yimchunger addressing a public rally held under the aegis of ENPO at Public Ground, Tuensang Town on September 14. (File Photo).
Morung Express News Dimapur | December 27 The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has agreed to discuss the demands of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), an apex body of six Naga tribnaes, asking for a separate state under the Constitution, stated an article published by The Indian Express on December 27. The ENPO’s ‘area’ consists of four eastern districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire. The report, filed by Rahul Tripathi in New Delhi, quoting officials further informed that a “tripartite dialogue was held between the ENPO, Nagaland government and MHA under the chairmanship of special secretary (internal security) last month.” While the ‘Framework Agreement’, signed in August 3, 2015, is yet to be formalised, ‘six tribes from eastern Nagaland under the aegis of ENPO have stepped up the long-pending demand for separate statehood under the Constitution,’ it added. It further stipulated that the “peace accord that was to be finalised with Naga groups will now have to wait with the Centre agreeing to discuss ENPO’s demand for a separate state.” The demand for the separate statehood, “Frontier Nagaland” has gained momentum in recent years with the ENPO holding regular rallies demanding the same. In the most recent public rally held in Tuensang Town on September 14, 2018 under the aegis of ENPO re-affirmed the demand for a separate statehood “Frontier Nagaland.” It unanimously reaffirmed the resolution for a separate state demand as “adopted on August 24, 2012 and its continued stand on the same ‘Frontier Nagaland’ where a memorandum was submitted to the Government of India through the then Union Home Minister on December 6, 2010.” It resolved that the entire public under the aegis of ENPO shall continue to firmly reject any form of economic package (s) both by the centre and the state “other than a separate assembly, separate administration, separate high court and capital of its own.” The rally further resolved to outrightly reject the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA), GoI letter signed by the Joint Secretary, MHA to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland suggesting preparation of suitable district-wise project proposals for the development of Eastern Nagaland area. The rally which was attended by the six federating tribal bodies along with respective village council associations, GBs associations, frontal organizations, ENPO executives, advisors, talk team members, concerned senior citizens and the public.
Only agreed to ‘discuss the demands’ Quoting MHA Officials, The Indian Express report, however, noted that the government “had only agreed to ‘discuss the demands’ of ENPO and no final decision has been taken while sources said the move may lead to division of State as the ENPO demands a ‘Frontier Nagaland.’” The former ENPO president Khoiwang Konyak also told The Indian Express that: “Our demands and political issues are different from other Naga groups, including NSCN-IM, and are primarily concerned with six tribes namely Chang, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchunger.” “Officials familiar with the development at MHA said that the demand for a separate state may not be feasible but the government may consider giving them autonomous council authority, comprising the four eastern districts of Nagaland,” the report added. The Morung Express, however, could not independently confirm the same till the filing of this report.
