ENSF walkathon for Frontier Nagaland

Following a call for “Mass Public Walkathon” under the aegis of Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), several hundreds on Friday– both young and old – from across six districts of Eastern Nagaland took part in the walkathons held in their respective districts/areas to press for their demand to create separate Frontier Nagaland state.
According to ENSF, the walkathon was the first phase of agitation as per Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) demand for a separate State.
When contacted, ENSF president Chingmak K Chang informed Nagaland Post that the next phase of protest would be announced after consultation with ENPO. Led by ENSF, seven federating units– Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU), Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Tikhir Students union (TSU), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) and Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA)– and 63 clusters comprising of 451 subordinate student bodies took part in the walkathon.
Seven apex tribal bodies under ENPO – Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC), Konyak (KU), Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC), United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USSP) and Phom People’s Council (PTC)– and ENPO leaders also took part in the walkathon and addressed the public.
Many were seen with banners and placards some of which that read “Dear GON, where is your promise of ‘Change is Coming’?”, “Free our wings to fly higher”, “Frontier Nagaland for employment justice”, “No more false promise” etc. Business establishments and schools remained shut during the walkathon.
Later, a representation by ENSF/respective students’ union was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the respective deputy commissioners.
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Meanwhile, ENSF press, information & publicity secretary Keyoungkhum K Yimkhiung in a statement informed that the walkathon was peaceful and democratic as denizens from different walks of life joined it, including leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs), church, village elders, students and general public of six districts of Eastern Nagaland.
He said chronology and background on the demand for Frontier Nagaland were shared in respective tribal vernacular languages that were initiated by leaders of seven tribal apex student bodies in 63 orchestrated clusters. Speeches on importance of Frontier Nagaland were given by ENSF leaders. The walkathon is believed to be the largest public movement in the history of Eastern Nagaland and revived the decade-old quest for a separate State, he said.
In his speech, the ENSF president stressed socio-economic, developmental and political aspects of Eastern Nagaland as he alleged a “colossal deprivation” of the eastern people under different leaders and governments.
He said the people of the Eastern Nagaland were never embraced as the brethren, and rather treated as second class citizens of the State, adding that the easternmost region of Nagaland today remained poverty-stricken with no sign of development. He claimed that the region had highest number of educated unemployed youth, while the roads were pathetic, human resource development was nil, infrastructure was abysmal, etc, even after attainment of Statehood.
Chang appreciated all the seven federating units and subordinates for their proactiveness and for showing steadfastness and the general public for their active participation.
He appealed to all to maintain the same zeal and remain conscientious against all odds as the movement and the demand was a responsibility of all citizens of Eastern Nagaland.