The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation, the apex body of seven tribes of Eastern Nagaland – Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, and Yimkhiung – has appealed for support from Nagaland Government and the Naga tribes as it nears the fulfilment of its demand for a separate State, Frontier Naga Territory (FNT).
“We stand on the threshold of this dialogue; we hope to move forward courageously with the prayers and blessings of our fellow Nagas to a future where we can be equal contributors to the prosperity of our Naga fraternity,” ENPO stated in a press release on Tuesday.
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It informed that after a series of meetings with officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs involving the State Government, The Government of India has offered the formation of Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) with legislative, executive, administration, and financial autonomy.
The performance of the proposed set-up will be reviewed after a period of 10 years to assess its efficacy to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the Eastern Nagaland Region, also considering the sentiments of our Naga brothers and sisters towards unity and togetherness, ENPO said while adding “we have accepted the proposal without insisting on dividing the Nagaland State.”
The apex body cited that advancements and progress will remain a far cry in the Eastern Nagaland areas “unless these areas are looked after by granting and fulfilling the demand and aspiration of a Statehood under special provision and status in line with Article 371 (A).”
“Efforts of successive governments of the state in more recent years to bring the people of the Eastern Nagaland area at par with the more advanced areas of Nagaland is mentionable,” it said but “due to lack of basic foundations the Eastern Nagaland areas are still falling behind the rest of the Nagas by much more than a century’s gap.”
ENPO highlighted that it had first submitted a Memorandum to the GoI on 25 November 2010 demanding a separate Statehood, and formal talks were initiated in the year 2015. Despite several rounds of talks, the issue remained unresolved, until the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 6 December 2022.
The organisation further informed that the Nagaland government had recommended to the GoI in 2011 for formation of an Autonomous Council/Authority but it was not agreed, and subsequently rejected by the people of Eastern Nagaland.
“This is as much of a test for us as it is a significant responsibility to pursue development and advancement to prove that, given the opportunity that we can indeed do well,” ENPO stated as it shared “our hopes and joy as we embark on its new arrangement.”
Meanwhile, the Consultative Meeting in regard to the proposed proposal for constitution of an Autonomous Council for the six districts of the Eastern Nagaland Region, scheduled for 30 June 2023 has been postponed “due to unavoidable reasons till further notice,” the Principal Secretary, Home Department has informed.
