Bandh in eastern Nagaland ‘peaceful’; ENPO says state, central offices to remain closed

TUENSANG — Normal life was disrupted in six districts of eastern Nagaland on Friday as the Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) imposed a complete shutdown across the region over the delay in settling the demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory.

The bandh, effective from 6 am to 6 pm, was enforced in Tuensang, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, Longleng, and Kiphire districts, and overseen by the respective frontal organisations.

Senior vice president of ENPO, W Bendang, told Eastern Mirror that the protest at Tuensang Headquarters was “peacefully and successfully with the cooperation of the public”.

Following the simultaneous bandh in the six districts, the ENPO notified that the ‘public emergency’ would continue with closure of all state and central government offices and restriction on movement of government vehicles.

However, there would be relaxation for public movement and opening of business establishments as well as movement of private vehicles until further notice.

The notice also stated that private vehicles found plying on government duty would be seized and government offices found functioning in official or private residences would be seriously dealt with.

It was informed that the ENPO would hold a meeting after the “dawn to dusk” total bandh at Tuensang Hq to discuss further steps and actions.

Earlier on March 5, the ENPO and its frontal organisations declared a state of ‘public emergency’ in the eastern region in response to the delay by the Government of India in settling the offer for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It also reaffirmed the Chenmoho resolution of Feb. 23, 2024, “not to participate in any central and state election,” and therefore, prohibited election campaigns in the region during the ‘emergency period.’