The proposed meeting between the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) delegation and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the ENPO demand for a separate statehood was scheduled for 3 December. However, the proposed meeting could not be held due to the Gujarat election.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, speaking on the sideline of the traditional Stone Pulling ceremony here at Mezoma village, expressed hope that the ENPO demand for Frontier Nagaland would be resolved in today’s meeting.

It has also been observed that the Eastern Naga people are not happy with the presence of the elected members in the said meeting which was proposed earlier on 3 December.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio along with Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and some elected members of the Eastern tribe were camping in the national capital for the meeting. However, they had returned to the state on Monday due to the delay.

On being queried on this, Rio stated that it is up to the ENPO whether they would like to meet the Home Minister separately or with the elected ministers.

Meanwhile, he also said it is unfortunate that the ENPO has abstained from the Hornbill festival adding that the ENPO is only expressing their unhappiness because their demand has not been responded to by the Government of India.