Nagaland Deputy CM Patton optimistic about ENPO-ENLU meeting

KOHIMA — Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Tuesday expressed optimism about the meeting scheduled to be held between the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and the 20 legislators from eastern Nagaland on March 28.

The meeting has been convened in Tuensang in connection with the demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) and the central government’s failure to finalise the matter.

Speaking to reporters in Kohima, Patton, who is also the Home in-charge, said that the outcome of the meeting will determine the ENPO’s decision to participate in the upcoming election.

The focus now shifts to whether the 20 legislators, collectively known as the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU), can persuade the ENPO to reconsider the Chenmoho resolution of February 23, which called for abstaining from all state and central elections until its demand for FNT is fulfilled.

Failure to sway the ENPO could significantly impact the Lok Sabha election, as 20 assembly constituencies in eastern Nagaland would be affected.

It may be recalled that the ENLU had engaged in a series of meetings with the government’s interlocutor, AK Mishra and officials from the IB and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 18 in New Delhi.

During these discussions, it was reportedly clarified that the final draft regarding the FNT is still under deliberation, with loose ends yet to be finalised. MHA officials also highlighted the need for thorough examination and stakeholder input, indicating the possibility of revisions before its completion.

According to reports, officials from the MHA informed that there are many loose ends that need to be looked into, while a member of ENLU revealed: “We need to study the contents thoroughly and take opinions of all the stakeholders. There is still room for omission and deletion.”

Also read: ENLU seeks handing over of draft proposal on Frontier Nagaland Territory to ENPO, not CM