With less than 48 hours to Polling Day in Nagaland for the Lok Sabha elections, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) is resolute to uphold its Chenmoho Resolution adopted in February 2024 to abstain from participating in any State or Central election till the final settlement of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) is signed.

ENPO has cautioned all citizens of the six districts – Tuensang, Mon, Noklak, Kiphire, Shamator and Longleng – that anybody who disregard the resolution will be marked for ages for betraying the public of Eastern Nagaland. At the same time, the apex organization of the seven tribes has assured protection to any citizen facing persecution for showing loyalty to the cause of the future of Eastern Nagaland.

In a major blow to the ENPO, the 20 legislators from the region have decided to defy this resolution and has urged the public to come out and vote. They have reasoned that abstention from electoral process would “hinder the progress of the talks” for FNT and asked the people to be “pragmatic and insightful” for the future.

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At such a juncture, Nagaland Tribune spoke to some youth in Tuensang Town to get their views on the whole situation.

John* said, “I am voluntarily abstaining from casting vote in the coming Lok Sabha election 2024 to morally and practically support the demands laid by the ENPO against the delay of FNT final draft which should have been expedited by the State and Central governments since the first day of our demand.”

He underscored that “the people of Eastern Nagaland should be united with one goal leaving aside kitchen issues which is a part of family.” John also opined that it will be wise to stop the blame game and focus on hastening the process to fulfil the demand. “As patriotic citizen of Eastern Nagaland, we should render our full support and co-operation towards our leaders and stand affixed in all the good and bad times,” he added.

Susan* explained that the ENPO’s movement is the public’s movement. “We Nagas live under tribal directives and no one can go beyond tribal directives”, she says. Susan clarified that the Eastern Naga public are not fighting for freedom from Nagaland or from India, adding “We are born as Indian, we will die as Indian. We are demanding FNT to make decoration for our birth nation.” She also lamented how despite of living under one umbrella, the region cannot be compared with other places in terms of development. “That is the sad reality” Susan says.

Peter* says, “In my opinion, our stand regarding Frontier Nagaland Territory is much needed for our Eastern People, so the only way to pressurize and draw attention and show our resentment to the Centre and State governments is only through this non participation so I find it quite a right decision not to participate in the coming Lok Sabha election. To the Government equal opportunity should be emancipated to all section of society”, he remarked.

Jenny* opined, “We are still under Indian constitution if our leaders try to impose bandh on public movement it might be against our democracy right. On the other hand, it is our long fight since years back.” She said that the public had been accepting everything that the governments had been feeding them, but now it is the people’s time to stand firm on their demand. This she said will also reveal the true colours of other Naga tribes and the mainland India. “I think at this zero hour, I would like to suggest that we should abstain from election but with proper rules without affecting our democracy rights,” Jenny stated.

Mark* justified, “What the entire ENPO is doing is a fact that the Eastern is being neglected since the inception.” He remarked that had the Nagaland Government been kind enough to the Eastern region, things would not have come to this stage. “We had several agitations pertaining to this issue and the public emergency still in process however, the State Government, instead of looking into the genuine grievances of ENPO, has failed and kept the issue in cold storage. The blind eyes and deaf ears of the State Government compels the people of ENPO to abstain the upcoming election,” he deplored.

“I, as a mere citizen of Eastern Nagaland would like to convey to the Eastern public to stand strong till the end as we have come this far together. The unity in diversity, we the ENPO share, will definitely result in achieving FNT someday”, Mark implored.

Alice* stated, “In a democracy, where the people are the core of the whole governance, the non participation of the people speaks or shows the highest resentment of the people. To all Eastern people there is no guilt in speaking out our grievance, we have every right to voice out our aspirations to secure our rights. We have embraced the path of non-violence and so let us not deviate from the path, see that are our goals are enshrined in gold in the channels of history for a prosperous and bright future,”

* All names changed on request