Even as the ‘total shutdown’ of Eastern Nagaland areas continued on Tuesday, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) called upon all, irrespective of their affiliations, for unity in achieving their shared objectives.
Normal life in all six districts of Eastern Nagaland came to a standstill as educational institutions, government offices and business establishments remained shut during the day while vehicles stayed off the roads.
Further, ENPO Control Room informed that the ‘public emergency’ total shutdown will continue with more exemptions. Those exempted include public movement with private vehicles, all government and private educational institutions, Power department, medical emergencies, fire & emergency services, PHED (domestic lines), banking, postal services & telecommunications, and business establishments, including private construction.
Meanwhile, ENPO on Tuesday held an emergency consultative meeting with tribal bodies and frontal organizations at CKS Hall, Tuensang. In a press note, ENPO said that its president advised all tribal leaders and members present to ensure that all people irrespective of their political and social affiliations were onboard, which was of primary importance and pre-requisite at this hour.
During the meeting, the members present reviewed the current status of the ongoing bandh in the entire Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction and also decided to further continue with the ongoing public emergency.
The members agreed to further collaborate closely and co-ordinate efforts in ensuring successful implementations of restrictions imposed under public emergency to show resentment against the Centre for not honouring its commitment.
ENSF ultimatum on MP, MLAs: The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has directed the Rajya Sabha MP and all 20 elected members of Eastern Nagaland to reach Tuensang Hq within 36 hours effective from March 12 6 p.m. till March 14 12 noon.
The directive, which was circulated on social media platforms, was signed by ENSF president Chingmak Chang, speaker Pho-e Konyak and the presidents of PSC- N Dape Phom, USSC- Y Sethrongba Sangtam, KSU- T Noklem Konyak, CWS- C Pongsu Chang, TSU- Temong Y Tikhir, KSU- Shangchiu, ENSSU- Tonika G Aye and vice president of YAA Rekhum K.
They further directed all frontal organizations, tribal bodies and ENPO officials stationed at Tuensang to restrain from going to their respective tribal headquarters until the MP (Rajya Sabha) and 20 elected members from Eastern Nagaland report at Tuensang as directed.
ENPO seeks support of all: ENPO president Tsapikiu Sangtam on Tuesday appealed to all including the state government, civil society organizations and political parties to support the cause of the people of Eastern Nagaland for ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’.
Addressing a section of the media at CKS Hall in Tuensang, Tsapikiu clarified that there was “non hidden agenda” about the arrangement that ENPO was seeking for the people of Eastern Nagaland. He said that they have been open and transparent since the beginning and that there was no question of breaking the Naga society or to create a hurdle for the Naga political movement. He said it was their strong desire for equitable development for the region at par with others. “Under FNT, we just want our own separate small kitchen,” he said.
Tsapikiu further said that it was the Centre who had offered FNT and not ENPO demanding it. Howebver, he said, till date, Centre has failed to fulfil its promise. This was the reason why the people were unhappy and protesting, he said.
On the issue of its decision not to take part in the election process, he said if the Centre fails to fulfil offer for creation of ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’, the ENPO would abstain from taking part in the State and Central election process. He said that in February 2023, ENPO had withdrawn its decision to abstain from taking part in the Assembly elections following the assurance made by Union Home minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue after elections.
However, the same has been delayed. In this regard, he said ENPO was firm this time that unless FNT is made a reality before the announcement of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections, the people of the region will not take part in the elections. No new assurances will be accepted by ENPO after that, he asserted. Rather, he said that the ENPO would intensify the protest.