Nagaland govt appeals ENPO to reconsider Frontier state demand

January 4, 2023 22 Views No Comment

• Shah scheduled to visit state
• Travel itinerary undisclosed

Morung Express News
Kohima | January 4

The Nagaland state Cabinet has appealed the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to reconsider the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland state. State government Spokesperson, Minister for Planning and Coordination, Neiba Kronu, told the media in Kohima on January 3 following a meeting of the Cabinet, while also disclosing a scheduled visit of Home Minister, Amit Shah to Nagaland on January 6.

“While expressing our sympathy to the ENPO, we have decided to appeal to them to reconsider their demand in the greater interest of our people,” said Kronu. He added that resolving the Naga political issue is the “top-most priority” and “we should give all efforts to resolve the issue.”

About two weeks back, prior to Christmas, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had told the media that all the 60 members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had decided to withhold campaigning till December 2022. Queried on this and the prospect of electioneering, Kronu said that a clearer picture would emerge during Shah’s visit.

Shah’s travel itinerary was however not disclosed with Kronu stating, “Maybe Dimapur or Kohima. He said he’ll be visiting our state.” He also hinted at a likely visit of the Prime Minister. “After that, even Prime Minister may come, after 10th (January). That is what we have been informed.”

Further queried, if the Cabinet has taken any concrete decision on the ENPO demand, Kronu maintained that the state government can take a decision only when the state government is updated on the discussion between the Home Ministry and ENPO. As of now, he held that the state government has taken the right decision by appealing to the ENPO to reconsider their demand.

In a separate interview, Co-chairperson of the UDA, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu reiterated the state government’s request to the ENPO. “The Cabinet has never recommended for separate state, and till now, we (the Cabinet) stand by the July 23, 2011 decision for the integration of all incontiguous (Naga) areas.”

The Union government has likely ruled out a separate state for eastern Nagaland, as per the Home Ministry team, which visited eastern Nagaland on December 16. This, he said, was informed in the Cabinet meeting today.

He acknowledged the ENPO demand as genuine but added that it should not come at the cost of dividing the Nagas. He further informed that the Home Ministry would be scheduling another meeting with ENPO this week or next week.

On electioneering, he said, “I don’t think the legislators will abstain or rather boycott the election as it is a constitutional provision.” He said that the anticipated campaigning for the February polls will started, while adding, “We are waiting for the election commission to announce the dates.”

Reiterating the state government’s stand on the Naga political issue, Nienu said that it has urged the central government to expedite the dialogue for a final solution.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-govt-appeals-enpo-to-reconsider-frontier-state-demand