The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) on Friday held a public rally in all seven districts of Eastern Nagaland and ADCs HQ against the delay to settle the proposed Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) by the Government of India.

During the rally, the ENPO also adopted a resolution reiterating that it shall be compelled to take its own course of action in the event of not honouring the sentiments and aspirations of the Eastern people. The resolution also cautioned that prior to the signing of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) if the Election Model Code of Conduct is declared the Eastern people will not be held responsible for any untoward situation that may arise in the Eastern Nagaland region.

Memorandum addressed to the Governor were also submitted by the frontal organizations to their respective Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners after the rally.

ENPO President Tsapikiu Sangtam, briefing the gathering at Parade ground, Tuensang said that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 7 December 2023, had assured ENPO that their arrangement will be finalized before the election code of conduct is enforced for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

He said, there has been no result till date despite the assurance of Shah who said, it will discuss with the Nagaland government and declare the arrangement.

Sangtam also briefed the people mentioning that the rally is an awareness to the people on the latest development and to discuss the further course of action if the election code of conduct is enforced without finalising the arrangement.

Speaking to this reporter after the rally, Sangtam said ENPO will take it to the people on the next course of action if the centre does not give a date for signing of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) before the election code of conduct is enforced.

When asked if ENPO will drop the demand of FNT and revert to their earlier demand for a separate statehood, Sangtam said, “FNT was not ENPO’s idea but was proposed by the centre. We will further discuss on this if the centre does not respond.”

Protestors were seen carrying placards with slogans like, “We want a signing date for FNT”, “We want Frontier Nagaland Territory”, “We demand immediate signing date”, “We want immediate final draft.”

Mention maybe made that today’s agitation is a fallout of the ENPO’s joint consultative meeting with the Tribal bodies and Frontal organizations held at Tuensang on February 5 where it had resolved to hold a mass rally against the alleged failure of the centre’s assurance to declare the date for the signing of the MoS.