Tripartite Discussions on Frontier Nagaland Territory: ENPO Engages with Central and State Governments
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Synopsis
On January 15, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) met with MHA adviser A.K. Mishra to discuss their demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland Territory comprising six districts. ENPO leaders emphasized the need for autonomy and addressed issues like unemployment and modernization of Village Guards.
Key Takeaways
- ENPO leaders met with MHA adviser.
- Discussion focused on Frontier Nagaland Territory demands.
- Autonomy with executive, legislative, and financial powers sought.
- Employment and modernization of Village Guards addressed.
- Trust in MHA assurances for future discussions.
Kohima, Jan 15 (NationPress) The leaders of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), which has been advocating for a distinct ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT)’ encompassing six districts for seven marginalized tribes, convened on Wednesday to present their demands to the adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), A. K. Mishra.
Officials reported that senior representatives from the Nagaland government also participated in this tripartite discussion, which centered around the potential for granting a degree of autonomy to the region comprising six eastern districts of the state.
After a productive five-hour meeting held in the police complex of Chumoukedima district, ENPO President A. Chingmak Chang remarked that the discussions were very “positive” and that crucial issues were addressed.
“We have talked about the unemployment crisis and the need to modernize the Village Guards stationed in the Eastern Nagaland districts. The MHA representatives expressed their agreement on these matters,” Chang informed the press.
He emphasized, “The proposed autonomy for Eastern Nagaland should include executive, legislative, and financial powers. We will not endorse any agreements lacking these provisions. Several significant issues remain unresolved and will be revisited in the upcoming meeting.”
While the ENPO leader refrained from detailing all topics discussed, he expressed trust in the MHA officials' assurances and maintained hope for resolutions regarding their long-standing demands.
The initial round of tripartite discussions involving the central government, ENPO, and Nagaland government officials took place in Delhi on December 13 of the previous year.
The Nagaland state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, addressed the ENPO's ongoing demands during its meeting on October 30 last year. The ENPO press and media cell asserted this week that the MHA must clarify its position on addressing the historical and political aspirations of the Eastern Nagas without further delays while considering the formation of FNT.
Since 2010, the ENPO has sought a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or state, which would consist of six districts in eastern Nagaland—Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang—inhabited by seven marginalized tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
On January 12, the ENPO organized a consultative meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) in Dimapur to ensure a cohesive approach when engaging with the central government.
The ENLU comprises 20 MLAs.
ENPO leaders have claimed that the eastern Nagaland regions have faced neglect across various sectors since the formation of Nagaland state in 1963.
Should the proposed FNT be established, it is anticipated that special powers will be conferred to these six Eastern Nagaland districts.
Prior to the Lok Sabha elections last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested comments and proposals from the state government regarding the ENPO’s demand.
The residents of the six Eastern Nagaland districts refrained from participating in the civic body elections on June 26 last year and the Lok Sabha elections on April 19 due to a vote boycott call issued by the ENPO in support of their demands.
The ENPO and its allies had also called for a boycott of the Assembly elections in February 2023 but later rescinded it following a commitment from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Nagaland has a total of 60 Assembly seats, with 20 located in these six districts.
