Government employees from eastern Nagaland in a fix over conflicting directives

DIMAPUR — A recent directive issued by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has left government employees from eastern tribes in a fix.

The directive, issued on March 21, through the eastern Nagaland public emergency control room in Tuensang, had instructed its members “not to take part in any electioneering activities such as appointment of polling agents of different political parties and participation in any election related trainings, etc.,” besides reiterating that all citizens of eastern Nagaland would refrain from casting votes.

It also directed its citizens not to take part in any government inauguration events till the proposed March 28 eastern Nagaland public meeting is held.

Concurrently, with the suspension of restrictions in all six districts in the eastern areas on March 21, district deputy commissioners also issued orders directing all the government employees to report to their respective places of postings on or before March 22, as the Lok Sabha elections schedule had been declared.

The order by the respective district DCs also directed all heads of departments/offices to be in station and to ensure that all staff of their respective departments are present.

In this connection, several government employees, including teachers and police personnel have shared their predicament, stating that they are in a fix because of the two directives.

Requesting anonymity, the government employees stated that some of them have election-related meetings convened by the DCs in their districts, and expressed apprehensions on what they should do considering the two conflicting directives.

Also read: Nagaland Chief Minister requests ENPO not to boycott Lok Sabha election