Convenor of Nagaland People’s Action Committee (NPAC) and Media Convenor of Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) Theja Therieh asserted that it is not only the Eastern tribes but the “other side” of Nagaland also who do not want to participate in the elections. He said democracy has not been able to address the issues concerning the Naga people and has failed the Nagas.

He stated that Nagas are looking for a solution to all these problems. A solution that will be restorative in nature that should build and give us the system so that we will be able to correct the past and be able to move ahead and develop ourselves, he added.

“I think at the moment pushing election without solution, without addressing the issue of the ENPO, I think this will not solve any problem,” said Therieh.

He stated that the sentiments of the Eastern people are respected and the grievances put forward by the ENPO are also genuine. He observed that the government over the years have failed to address and give enough attention to the Eastern people.

“Maybe we have failed to look into the grassroot of how people feel and how they have been suffering. These are some of the failures which not only attributed to this government but government over the years and we feel that GoI should do something to correct the measure,” added Therieh.

He maintained that Nagaland is too small as a state to have another separate state and it is difficult for Nagas to sustain economically. He said Nagas have been living together over the years and he sees no reason as to why we have to separate from each other.

“We have to patch up, we have to also motivate and also if there are some corrections needed it should be done but now since they have gone to the GoI and Union Home Minister has assured to address the issue,” he said adding that during the two-day visit of Union Home Minister, he will be interacting with the grassroot people also and not only in the organisation level.

He also informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a committee who will be coming to Eastern Nagaland. They will be looking into the details of the grievances and cross check the ground situation and also cross check with the state machineries.

Furthermore, he said GoI will have to take a measure with a big heart to see that Eastern people are being compensated.

“They should be given certain privileges, autonomy and the rightful share so that they will come at par with any of the tribes other than the Eastern Naga areas and we should be equal. And for so many reasons development and all other government privileges are not being equally distributed. Maybe there is something wrong in the policy, maybe something which we have overlooked so policy programme roadmap have to be very clear and we have to see that all are taken on board and everyone becomes equal so that we all enjoy as a state belonging to the same state,” he stated.

In conclusion, Therieh expressed hope that the Central government would be able to assess the actual ground situation as the issue is very important which has to unearthed, and there is a need to understand and know what the actual ailment is which the government has failed to address.