People of eastern Nagaland resolve to stand by legislators, government employees

DIMAPUR — The citizens of eastern Nagaland on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to stand behind the legislators and government employees from the region who chose to abstain from the recent Lok Sabha elections, pledging to stand by them in the face of any “political challenges” resulting from their decision.

A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed during an emergency Central Executive Council meeting of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on April 23 at Tuensang.

It may be recalled that prior to the polls, which took place on April 19, the ENPO had called for a total abstention from all poll-related activities, including voting, in the six districts — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang.

Subsequently, it also issued s statement, assuring the legislators and government employees that, “any citizen of eastern Nagaland, including the elected members and government servants facing repercussions for abiding by the decision of the citizen of EN through voluntary abstention from voting would stand protected by the citizen of eastern Nagaland under any circumstances”.

On April 19, when the state went to polls, polling stations in all six districts recorded ‘nil’ voting percentage.