An emergency consultative meeting has been convened by Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers Association (ENGOA) at Dimapur on 14th February 2024 with Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), Talk Team, Eastern Nagaland Legislature’s Union (ENLU), Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation (ENWO) and the eight apex tribal presidents to discuss on the proposed Frontier Nagaland territory (FNT).
The ENPO have made a resolute stand to reject the offer of an autonomous council or any form of an economic package, other than the Government of India’s offer for the creation of FNT.
However, as per highly placed sources, one of the basic principles highlighted in the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) clearly says that the spirit of Article 371(A) and “State Govt.’s recommendation for Autonomous Council/Authority to be maintained”. The draft MoS also states that there can be no division of the state, which means there can be no separate State, Union Territory or a Sixth Schedule Council. It also says that Article 371(A) is not subject to amendment and the Governor will have no discretionary powers.
As per sources, Legislative, Executive and Financial autonomy will be within Nagaland and all coordination between the proposed set-up in Eastern districts and the State Government will be between the respective MPs, MLAs and District administration of the Region.
The proposed arrangement will have no impact on the Naga talks, the draft said as per sources.
The draft proposal of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was given to the State government maintaining the spirit of trilateral talks as agreed by the central government.
The proposed draft MoS is said to be handed over to ENPO only after the state government makes its observation.
Meanwhile, the ENLU held a closed door meeting with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today at Kohima, seeking more time for consultation with Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and its frontal organizations.
The Chief Minister was briefed by ENLU on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting with Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers Association (ENGOA) and informed Rio of the emergency meeting on Wednesday.
Rio, also advised ENLU to have proper consultation with ENPO and its frontal organization with utmost transparency and take a decision whether to accept the draft proposal of MoS, the source informed.
Mention may also be made that in 2011, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had recommended for creation of an autonomous council for the Eastern region, however this recommendation was rejected by ENPO.
“The draft MoS clearly mentions “autonomous”, which is not acceptable to ENLU and ENPO also, since the organizations have clearly stated that it will not accept 6th schedule and autonomous council. On 26 June 2023, meeting at Kohima the stand was reiterated by the organisation’s,” said another well informed source.
