ENPO, MHA to meet soon over ‘Frontier Nagaland’ demand

DIMAPUR — The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) leaders are expected to meet the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials soon in connection with the former’s demand for “Frontier Nagaland”.

The date for ENPO-MHA meeting has not been fixed yet but it is expected to take place after the scheduled consultative meeting called by the state government on June 30, said sources.

The government of Nagaland has convened a consultative meeting with all stakeholders, including legislators, civil society organisation leaders and officials to discuss the provisions of the “proposed proposal of the government of India for constitution of an Autonomous Council for the six eastern districts of the state”.

Sources said that “there has been no satisfactory conclusion” on the matter despite the visit of the three-member Home ministry team led by MHA Advisor (North East) AK Mishra, Intelligence Bureau Joint Director Dr. Mandeep Singh Tuli, and MHA Director (North East Division) AK Dhyani to the eastern region in December last year.

The central team, which visited the region to understand the ground situation and collect data, said after hearing out the grievances of the people during their meeting that the government of Indian would take the final call on the matter, it was informed.

The source said that there were, of course, disagreements as well as few agreements between the MHA and the eastern Nagaland leaders on the data and reports provided to them during the last visit.

“Even the Naga Peace Accord signed on August 3, 2015 is still taking time to come to a conclusion, so we cannot expect the eastern Nagaland ‘bifurcation’ to happen overnight as there are disagreements too,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the source refuted the claims of constituting an autonomous council for the eastern districts.

Former Congress leader bats for Autonomous Council

Former president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) K Therie opined that “there should be no objection from any quarter” if the people of six eastern districts think ‘Autonomous Council’ is the answer to the present issue.

While advocating Autonomous Council status for the eastern districts, citing “Regional Council” being provided to the erstwhile Tuensang district under clause (d) Art. 371(A), he said the incumbent opposition-less government would be held responsible if the territorial integrity of Nagaland and Art. 371(A) are compromised.

He also claimed that people of the region started complaining and serving ultimatums over discrepancies in allotment of funds and other corrupt practices after the BJP and its allies came to power in the state.

Also read: Frontier Nagaland demand: Eastern Sumi Hoho wants to remain in Nagaland