The State Cabinet held its first meeting for the year 2023 at the Chief Minister’s residence here in Kohima today to discuss on Indo Naga political issue and ENPO demand for Frontier Nagaland.

Speaking to media persons after the cabinet meeting, Azo Nienu, UDA co-chairman and leader of NPF Legislature Party, disclosed that during the visit of the Ministry of Home Affairs team to Eastern Nagaland the ENPO’s demand for a separate statehood ‘Frontier Nagaland’ had been ruled out and subsequently in today’s meeting, the cabinet has appealed to the ENPO to re-examine their demand for a separate statehood in the greater interest of all the Nagas as a whole.

Neinu asserted that the Indo Naga political issue remains the top priority for the state government and therefore, the cabinet in today’s meeting have once again appealed to the GoI to expedite the Naga political solution at the earliest.

He said the cabinet has never recommended for a separate state and till date it stands by that because on 23 July 2011, the cabinet has stood by the integration of all the contiguous state and subsequently four resolutions were passed in the Assembly. He also added that the Nagaland Assembly had never adopted any resolution on Frontier Nagaland but had recommended the Autonomous Council which the ENPO had rejected and the matter thus ended there.

Neinu was of the view that since the main intention of the ENPO is for development and financial assistance, their genuine demands such as for development and funding should be looked into but not at the cost of dividing the Nagas.

He also stated that whatever the MHA recommends for the ENPO, the state government will also stand by it.

With regard to the 2023 elections, Neinu observed that the Legislators will not abstain or boycott the elections since it is a constitutional provision and a democratic process. Once the elections are announced. all political parties will have no option but to participate in the elections.

“We will start the campaign. We are waiting for the election commission to announce the dates and we are mentally prepared now,” added Neinu.

Meanwhile sources have also informed that the ENPO delegation will be meeting the MHA team in Guwahati on 5 January. This will be the third meeting being held between the MHA team and ENPO. The ENPO delegation will be arriving in Guwahati on 4 January.