A three-member committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) arrived in Tuensang district this afternoon and held its first meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), ENPO Talk Team and Memorandum Signatories.
The central committee is on a three-day visit to study the demand of the ENPO for a separate statehood. The team is headed by the adviser (North East) A K Mishra who is also the peace interlocutor, along with two members – Dr Mandeep Singh, Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau and A K Dhayani, Director, North East Division, MHA.
Well informed sources said today’s meeting was “fruitful” and “cordial” and that the ENPO not only spoke on the development aspect but other issues of national importance as well.
“We are right in the international border and its more or less neglected. We should be a grave danger for the country as a whole because we are surrounded by some unfriendly countries also. Their activities across the border could be a signal,” the source stated.
It also said that infrastructurally, economically, all spheres of development should take place in the Eastern region, including the trade commerce since the region is in a strategic location.
The source maintained that the government must give attention because later on the blame cannot be on the Eastern people alone but also on the Government of India.
Furthermore, it said that according to the explanations of the three-member team, the GoI is fully aware of the deficiency of the Eastern area and that they are looking into it seriously.
During their three-day stay, the committee members will be meeting ENPO leaders, state government officials, seven Eastern tribal bodies, Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation, Eastern Nagaland Students Federation, village chiefs and senior citizens.
The committee is also scheduled to visit the International Trade Centre, Dan, Pangsha, in Noklak district of eastern Nagaland bordering Myanmar on the morning of 18 December. Thereafter, they will come to Kohima and hold talks with the State machineries led by Nagaland Chief Secretary.
The ENPO has also called an urgent meeting of the Central Executive Committee on 19 December after the MHA team’s visit. The ENPO earlier in a statement stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted a clear road-map for amicable, legislative and sustainable solution of their demand which also includes consultation with the people of eastern Nagaland and state government.
A delegation of ENPO met the Home Minister in New Delhi earlier this month and Shah told them that he is likely to visit Eastern Nagaland for two days by January of next year.
Read more: Meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah “very successful”, ENPO Talk Team
