Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has appealed to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to refrain from boycotting electoral processes, and emphasised the indispensability of dialogue and cooperation in resolving differences.
He said this at the ticket distribution ceremony for People’s Democratic Alliance’s (PDA) consensus candidate Dr Chumben Murry, held at NDPP headquarters, Chümoukedima on Wednesday.
Rio assured that once all the 20 legislators from Eastern Nagaland returned from Delhi, the state cabinet would hold a meeting with them to address the grievances. While stating that the state government and no issues with the ENPO, Rio said that the ENPO and elected members from Eastern Nagaland should sit across the table.
Rio emphasised an inclusive dialogue between the elected representatives and ENPO, highlighting the potential for creation of an autonomous body, contingent upon democratic processes and consultations.
Rio said that the legislators were elected and mandated by the people and once the autonomous body is established, its members will also be elected. In this scenario, Rio said that both sides-MLAs and ENPO, should deliberate on how power-sharing would be addressed to serve the people. Although the state had recommended the creation of an autonomous body in 2011, Rio emphasized that the state cannot dictate the terms on how to address the power-sharing between the two entities.
He pointed out that if leaders had differences, people would suffer and stressed that the state government harboured no enmity towards the ENPO. Rio, however, said that the Centre had categorically ruled out the demand for separate State or Union Territory but would workout with the state government to address the issues.
Rio further opposed the plan for the proposed body to come under the control of the Governor, terming it as “undemocratic.” He criticized the notion and likened it to being under President’s Rule, since the state government cannot be under PR or Governor’s rule. Rio asserted that the elected government was supreme in its authority and therefore all these matters should be understood since any form of autonomy has to be worked out with the state government, which was ready to lend support.
Rio also outlined five key policy objectives observed by the cabinet aimed at addressing the challenges and issues in the ENPO area.
According to Rio, the cabinet observed that ENPO area faced development deficit and thus needed more development; had low literacy rate and emphasised on education to raise the rate at par with the rest of the state. Also, since ENPO area has poor health care due to distance and poor communication, the Centre has already sanctioned a medical college in Mon.
He said the cabinet also noted that the per capita income in ENPO area was lesser than the rest of the state and hence more livelihood projects would be taken up to raise income earning. He stressed on job reservation and higher studies because of the backwardness and for which the state government was ready to provide all support.
On issues concerning Eastern Nagaland, Rio emphasised the interconnection of all Naga communities and underscored the need for unity in shaping the state’s future as the cornerstone of collective progress and prosperity.
While stating he was aware of the call by ENPO to boycott elections, Rio urged upon the latter against taking the step by assuring that all issues would be discussed after the election.
Rio reiterated that the state cannot be “minus” elected members from eastern Nagaland as they were cannot be avoided. He therefore stressed on a meeting point as neither he nor ENPO could take away power from each other. Rio said if leaders were separated by differences, people would suffer and reiterated that the state government was not inimical towards the ENPO.
While reemphasising on inclusive dialogue between the elected representatives and ENPO, Rio highlighted the potential for creation of an autonomous body, contingent upon democratic processes and consultations.
Referring to the proposed autonomous council for ENPO area, he said power in the area remained with the 20 MLAs and those would be elected members of the proposed council.
Media meet: Later, when asked by the media on the absence of BJP state president, party’s legislators, and office-bearers at the ticket distribution event apart from deputy CM Y Patton, Rio ruled out any sort of miscommunication, adding that they would all be present at the meeting scheduled on March 22 at Niathu Resort.
Regarding complains by participants and delegates from other states at the ongoing 3rd North East Games 2024, Rio remarked that human beings tend to complain on anything, adding that one could not expect a five-star hotel service. “We have to struggle a little bit. That is the way of life,” he stated.
On issue of recruitment of Home Guards & Civil Defence, Rio maintained that the state government was looking at merit, adding that if there were some wrong things done, then correction would be made. He assured that he would personally look into the issue.
When asked about the raid by the CBI at FOCUS- IFAD under Agriculture department, Rio said that the state government had suspended the officials involved in the case. He clarified that since the two officials were nabbed at Delhi, the case was under the jurisdiction of CBI.
On the other hand, commenting on the Home Guards issue, Patton said the state government would work it out and that recruitment would take place after the Lok Sabha election. When asked about the absence of BJP president and the 11 legislators, Patton admitted the BJP state president was informed of the event, but presumed that he could not attend as he had another meeting. He, however, said that all the 12 BJP legislators, including party leaders would be present at the meeting to be held at Niathu Resort on March 22.
ENLU appeals ENPO to suspend public emergency
The Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) has appealed to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) to suspend the ongoing public emergency for the greater interest of Frontier Nagaland Territory’ (FNT).
In a letter to ENPO president, dated March 18 and signed by all 20 ENLU members, the legislators briefed the ENPO about the meeting with advisor (NE) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) AK Mishra and team including Union Home secretary AK Bhalla and other senior officials.
ENLU said that during the meeting, the members apprised the officials of the sequence of events starting from December 21, 2023, when the chief minister had shared the highlights of the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with ENLU for observation and discussion with ENPO.
Accordingly, ENLU said the highlights of the draft were brought for deliberation at the February 14, 2024, consultative meeting of ENPO, ENWO, ENSF, and ENLU, organized by Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers’ Association. However, ENLU said ENPO refused to comment on the draft, stating that they were yet to receive it officially from the MHA/GoI and that it lacked authenticity. The unanimous sense of those present at the meeting was that the draft was “unsatisfactory” and hence, refused to accept, it added.
ENLU continued to explain that after going through the draft and after thorough consultation and views taken from the February 14 consultative meeting, they conveyed to the state government that it was “dissatisfied” and refused to accept the draft. Subsequently, ENLU said the state cabinet had requested ENLU to hold further discussion with MHA/GoI.
According to ENLU, they also informed the Central officials about the public emergency declared by ENPO from March 8, 2024, due to the delay in providing the draft by the Government of India. In this regard, ENLU said it had requested the Centre to officially provide the highlights of the draft MoS to ENPO at an early date.
In response, ENLU stated that they were informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that the draft MoS received through the chief minister was not a draft but a “working paper” given to the state government for observation and comments.
Furthermore, ENLU conveyed that the MHA stated the working paper would reach a final stage when all stakeholders agree to the draft. The MHA appealed to ENLU to convey to the state government and all stakeholders (talk team, GoI, MHA, state govt. and ENPO) agree to the draft in the spirit of tripartite talk for a permanent and lasting solution.
In this regard, ENLU said that MHA has appealed to them to convey to the state government and other stakeholders to discuss the draft and forward it to the Centre. The letter was signed by ENLU convenor P Paiwang Konyak and members– CL John, P Bashangmongba Chang, K Konngam Konyak, W Chingang Konyak, S Keoshu Yimchunger, S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, Sethrongkyu, Wangpang Konyak, A Nyamnyei Konyak, Naiba Konyak, C Kipili Sangtam, P Longon, Y Mankhao Konyak, B Bangtick Phom, A Pongshi Phom, Lima Onen Chang, Imtichoba Chang, Benei M Lamthiu and C Manpon Konyak.