Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation upholds resolution to abstain from Lok Sabha election

TUENSANG — The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to the Chenmoho Resolution of February 23, 2024 to abstain from participating in any state or central election until the fulfilment of its demands related to Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).

ENPO president, Tsapikyu Sangtam reaffirmed this stance during a press briefing following the ‘successful’ eastern Nagaland public emergency meeting held at CKS Hall in Tuensang.

Responding to queries on whether the house has adopted any resolution regarding participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Sangtam maintained that the Chenmoho Resolution is ‘still alive’.

“This is a public decision, so we will go by that,” he asserted.

He also said that the state of ‘public emergency’ in the six districts of eastern Nagaland would continue until further notification.

Sangtam said that the purpose of Thursday’s meeting was to create a better co-ordination between the ENPO and the 20 legislators who make up the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU).

Earlier, there were ‘communication gaps’ and we had our differences but the ENLU has understood our stance and we have come to a consensus that we will pursue the matter together, he said.

“We have successfully ended the meeting”, and the ENLU and ENPO have resolved to ‘sail in the same boat,’ he added.

The meeting was attended by all the 20 legislators of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) as well as Rajya Sabha MP, S Phangon Konyak.

The ENPO president said that the likelihood of another shutdown in eastern Nagaland cannot be determined at this juncture, and any decision will depend on the evolving situation.

Earlier, the meeting started with an hour-long prayer session on ‘Forgiveness, Unity and Guidance’ led by Rev. Achu, executive secretary of the Chang Baptist Lashong Thangyen (CBLT). ENPO secretary N Manwang Konyak and Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) president Chingmak Chang chaired the meeting.

Besides the elected representatives, tribal presidents and general secretaries along with the respective central executive council (CEC) members, talk team executives, presidents and general secretaries of frontal organisations along with executive members and federating unit presidents, and presidents from Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers’ Association, Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation and ENSF were present in the meeting.