Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has expressed grave concern over the development within Naga Political Groups (NPGs) at Khehoyi Camp, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and resolve their differences without aggravating the situation.
In a communiqué, ENPO stated that the latest turn of events was deeply distressing, emphasizing that the Naga people had suffered enough and could not afford further bloodshed.
“The ultimate name ‘Unification’ must symbolize in bringing all warring factions under one umbrella. Every Naga political leader within the camp must uphold and embrace this principle in spirit and in truth. Any deviation from this purpose is a betrayal of the collective aspirations of the Naga people,” ENPO stated.
ENPO lamented that at a time when the Naga community was silently anticipating an early and honourable political solution through a unified approach, the growing divisions among leaders were disappointing. It called for deep introspection, urging true Naga leaders to rise above personal and factional interests in pursuit of the greater cause of the people.
ENPO also reminded all warring factions to resolve their differences through dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect rather than armed conflict. It warned that any further violence or division would derail progress and bring more suffering and that the present crisis must not be allowed to escalate or spill over threatening the fragile peace which all have work so hard.
The organization reaffirmed that the December 18, 2007 declaration, which declared Eastern Nagaland as a Peace Zone, remained firm and non-negotiable. It stated that there must be no bloodshed in the region, and any party engaging in threats or violence would face public non-cooperation. “This is a principle we will not compromise,” it asserted.
ENPO said that the reaffirmation includes people’s reciprocation in the event its citizens are harmed or threatened, adding that “this same principle is and should be implicated to every Naga citizen wherever.”
It emphasized that fratricidal conflict had no place in the journey towards a common future. ENPO called upon all Naga political groups to set aside their differences and focus towards a peaceful and honourable resolution to the long-standing struggle.