The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has expressed deep anguish over the recent communal violence in Kiusam Circle, Pungro town and Shamator town, urging the Yimkhiung and Tikhir communities to exercise restraint while calling on the state government to strengthen administrative and police presence in vulnerable areas.
Following a peace mission to the affected areas, an ENPO delegation, accompanied by tribal councils, held separate consultative meetings with the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) at their respective headquarters on October 11 and 12.
During the consultations, the ENPO appealed to both communities to exercise utmost restraint and prevent further escalation of violence within their respective jurisdictions. It also urged the two tribal councils to heed appeals from various Eastern Nagaland tribal councils and work towards restoring peace and normalcy.
The Organisation appreciated the efforts of the YTC, led by its president Throngso Yimkhiung, and the TTC, led by its president Timong Tikhir, along with their respective teams, for their concerted efforts to defuse tensions and prevent further violence.
The ENPO also acknowledged the prompt response of the district administrations and police of Kiphire and Shamator districts, as well as the Commanding Officer of the 30 Assam Rifles, in containing the situation despite limited facilities and resources.
It placed on record its appreciation for the United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP), led by its president Aliba Sangtam, for accommodating displaced families from both communities in Kiphire town and helping maintain peace and tranquillity there.
ENPO flags administrative shortcomings
However, the ENPO said its visit to the affected areas revealed serious lapses in the administrative machinery, particularly in governance and the maintenance of law and order. It observed that adequate administrative preparedness and timely intervention could have helped prevent the conflict, according to the Organisation.
The ENPO pointed to shortages of manpower and facilities in the civil administration and police establishment, stating that these deficiencies needed to be addressed immediately to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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In this regard, the Organisation placed a set of demands before the state government, beginning with the immediate posting of an Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) at Kiusam, which is presently under the charge of the EAC, Pungro.
It also demanded the creation and immediate establishment of a police outpost at Kiusam, equipped with sufficient personnel to strengthen security and enable a more effective response to law-and-order situations.
Seeks relief, rehabilitation for displaced families
The ENPO further appealed to the state government to urgently provide relief and rehabilitation to families displaced by the violence in the Kiusam and Pungro areas and Shamator town.
Emphasising the need to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, the Organisation called for timely assistance to affected families to help them recover from the disruption and loss caused by the violence.
It also expressed concern over the possible impact on the education of students belonging to affected families. The ENPO urged the authorities to take immediate remedial measures to ensure that the academic careers of these students were not jeopardised and that they received the necessary support to continue their education without interruption.
The ENPO further appealed to Churches across Nagaland, particularly in Eastern Nagaland, to uphold the affected region in prayer and work towards the restoration of lasting peace, harmony and tranquillity.
It reiterated the importance of restraint, cooperation and sustained efforts by community leaders, tribal councils and the administration to prevent further violence and restore normalcy in the affected areas.
