Amidst the recent move to form an apex tribal organisation of Nagas of Nagaland, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) is likely to abstain from being a part of the exercise.
Considering the emergent need for an apex Naga organisation, other major Naga tribes are all set to sit and work out the matter soon. It was learnt that some units under ENPO have already expressed their decision to remain under ENPO and not to be a part of the proposed apex Naga organisation. However, it has been informed that in all major common issues regarding Naga political issues, ENPO will be working together with rest of the tribal hohos.
Representatives from the current 14 tribes hoho stated that as of now they were together, though the nomenclature could be changed with the proposed new arrangement. They indicated that the new arrangement could be without the Karbis, Garos and Kukis.
They also expressed doubt on ENPO’s participation as some tribal units under it had already expressed during the meeting with 14 tribes hoho to remain with ENPO. In this regard, a meeting of the tribal hohos would be convened after the Ao Senden conference scheduled during the first week of September.
It may be recalled that planning & coordination, parliamentary affairs and land revenue minister, Neiba Kronu informed media persons after the consultative meeting held on Aug 18 that the house during deliberations, felt the need to have an apex hoho comprising all tribes of Nagaland, since the Naga Hoho which was once the apex body today no longer has the mandate of Naga tribes of Nagaland.
Kronu further added that an apex tribal hoho of tribes within Nagaland was a necessity just as Naga tribes of Manipur have their United Naga Council. Similarly, Kronu said Naga tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam could also work out on how to go about it in their respective states.
ENPO CEC meeting on Aug 31: Meanwhile, ENPO has convened a Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting at its headquarters, Tuensang on August 31.
ENPO general secretary Manlang Phom in a release has asked all CEC members of the respective tribes, State Demand Talk Team members, advisors, Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union, frontal organisations and sub-units to attend the meet as informed earlier without fail.