FNT Demand: ‘Public Emergency’ declared in Eastern Nagaland

March 6, 2024 15 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, MARCH 6 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) has reportedly declared a “Public Emergency” all over Eastern Nagaland in protest against the delay of the Government of India to settle the offer for creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).

This decision to declare a Public Emergency was made during a joint co-ordination meeting held at Hotel Cedar, Dimapur on March 5 with the tribal bodies and frontal organizations of Eastern Nagaland which comprises of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Noklak, Shamator and Kiphire districts.

“In view of the Govt. of India delaying to settle the offer for creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Tribal Bodies and Frontal Organizations hereby declare Public Emergency all over Eastern Nagaland with immediate effect,” the resolution of the joint co-ordination meeting, a copy of which was accessed by The Morung Express, read.

The meeting also declared to strictly implement the February 23, 2024 Chenmoho resolution, “not to participate in any central and state election.” This resolution was reached during the joint consultative meeting of the ENPO, federating tribal bodies, frontal organizations, talk team and senior leaders at Chenmoho village, Mon district.

It also emphasized that the “people of Eastern Nagaland shall not accede to any assurance that may come up with by the MHA to be implemented after the upcoming Parliamentary election process.”

As the next phase of public protest, there will be a dawn to dusk ban all over Eastern Nagaland on March 8-to be followed by intensive protest.

The March 5 meeting resolution further declared that during the period of Public Emergency, there shall be no election campaign by any political party within Eastern Nagaland. Any individual or group not adhering to the declaration would be doing so with their own risk whatsoever, it cautioned.

Meanwhile, in view of the unresolved FNT issue with the GoI, the meeting also resolved that the present tenure of the ENPO executive shall be extended for another 3 month with effect from the date of declaration/adoption of this resolution.

It also decided that the ENPO constitution first amendment which was released on February 23, 2024 in Chenmoho village shall be rectified with all tribal presidents and one ENPO executive member.

The meeting resolutions was appended by the presidents of ENPO, Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC), Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC), Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC), Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH), Konyak Union (KU), United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) and Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organization (ENWO).

The ENPO has been demanding that the Government of India (GoI) honour the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland as reportedly assured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in settling the issue before the upcoming Lok Sabha election of 2024, which the Centre has till now failed to meet.

Mention may be made that the ENPO during its mass public rally called on February 9 last in protest against the delay in signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) for FNT had declared that it shall be compelled to take “own course of action in the event of not honoring the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland, and thereafter if Election Model Code of Conduct is declared by the ECI without signing the MoS.”

“We shall not be held responsible for any untoward situation that may arise in Eastern Nagaland region,” it had then cautioned.