Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has unanimously resolved “not to participate in any Central and State election” against the delay to settle the offer for creation of ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ by government of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This resolution was reached during a joint consultative meeting of the ENPO, federating tribal bodies, frontal organizations, talk team, and senior leaders held on February 23, 2024, at Chenmoho Village, Mon district.
ENPO further emphasized that it “shall not accede to any assurance that may come up with by the MHA to be implemented after the upcoming Parliamentary election process.”
This decision follows mass public rallies held across all seven districts and ADC headquarters within Eastern Nagaland on February 9, where thousands of people participated to demand the ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ (FNT) and signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS).
Subsequently, the respective tribal bodies submitted a memorandum to the Nagaland governor, reiterating their resolve to take their own course of action if the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland are not honored. They emphasized that if the election model code of conduct is declared by the Election Commission of India without signing the MoS, the Eastern people would not be held responsible for any untoward situation that may arise in the region.
The memorandum urged the governor to immediately communicate the report to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaking to the media on February 15, ENPO members expressed disappointment that despite several assurances by Union Home Minister, they had not yet received the final draft of the FNT.
They highlighted that this was the reason behind the rallies in Eastern Nagaland, urging the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide the draft before the Lok Sabha election model code of conduct came into effect.
It may be recalled that ENPO, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, had also called for non-participation in any election process of the State and Central unless their demand for a separate State– “Frontier Nagaland” was fulfilled.