Thousands of people from all walks of like took part in the mass public rallies held across all the seven districts and ADC headquarters within Eastern Nagaland under the aegis of Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on February 9 to press for the demand of the ‘Frontier Naga Territory’ (FNT) and signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS).
After the rally, respective tribal bodies submitted memorandum to the governor of Nagaland through respective DCs and ADCs.
The memorandum reiterated the resolve to take own course of action in the event of not honouring the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland.
It stated that if election model code of conduct was declared by the ECI without signing the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), the Eastern people would not be held responsible for any untoward situation that may arise in Eastern Nagaland region.
Therefore, the memorandum requested the governor for “immediate onward communication of the report” to the union home minister.
Addressing the rally at Parade Ground Tuensang hosted by Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), ENPO President Tsapikiu Sangtam expressed disappointment over the lack of positive response from the Centre despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurance to declare the signing of the Memorandum of Settlement for FNT.
Sangtam revealed that Shah had assured the ENPO team in Delhi that the issue would be finalized before the enforcement of the election code of conduct for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “Shah informed that the matter would be discussed with the state government and will be declared,” he stated. However, to date, there has been no positive action from the Centre, he lamented.
He emphasized that the rally was organized to inform the public about the issue before the election commission enforces the model code of conduct. While mentioning that the draft has already been finalized, Sangtam asserted that the public would be consulted before the signing of the agreement.
He alleged that the state government, despite being provided with the draft by the Centre, has been delaying the matter by not sending its response. Sangtam cautioned that if any forces try to prevent them from pursuing their demand, the ENPO would revert back to the demand for separate statehood.
In his speech, ENSF President Chingmak Chang highlighted the sequence of events. He mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the ENPO members in Delhi that the “Government of India would give a solution based on legislative, executive, and financial autonomy within 75 days on December 6, 2022.” However, despite several assurances, Chingmak expressed dismay that nothing has been done to date.
Chingmak further claimed that the Union Home Secretary in June 2023 had made a power-point presentation to the ENPO members, assuring them about the contents of the agreement. However, despite assurances, they were not provided with the draft even after repeated requests.
Later, he mentioned that the Union Home Minister had again invited the ENPO members to Delhi on December 7, 2023, and assured them that the matter would be solved before the Lok Sabha polls. Despite various groups in India demanding separate statehood, they were convinced by the term “unique arrangement and country model” for ENPO.
“It is not the will of the leaders to move ahead. But it is the interest, the voice and the aspiration of the people of Eastern Nagaland that drives and motivates the leaders of ENPO to push forward,” he asserted.
Longleng: ENPO peaceful public rally led by Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC) was held at Local ground Longleng on Friday.
Speaking at the rally, member talk team and PPC president YB Angam Phom expressed displeasure over the delay in settling the FNT demand. Even after holding several rounds of talk between ENPO and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and submitting final draft on the creation of FNT, he said central government has been time and again failed to fulfil the demand of the Eastern people.
He reiterated that home minister Amit Shah had assured ENPO that the Centre would issue final MoS within 75 days when final draft was submitted. However, he said the assurance did not materialise till date.
Others who spoke at rally included ENPO secretary D. Hongkam Phom, ENWO president K. Yingphe Konyak, Phomla Hoichem president Mano Phom, Phom Students’ Conference president Dape Phom, GBs association president Yingi Phom and Ex-Minister & Advisor ENPO, N. Metpong Phom.
Over thousand people participated in the rally holding placards and raising the slogan such as “We demand immediate signing date,” “We demand Immediate final draft”, “We demand Frontier Nagaland Territory”, etc.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by L. Chuba Phom, invocation prayer by PBCA executive secretary Tialemba Phom and vote of thanks was proposed by PPC secretary Y. Henmei Phom.