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TUENSANG/ DIMAPUR — The total shutdown in the six districts of eastern Nagaland will continue until further notice, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) said on Monday, asserting that it would accept nothing but the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
Addressing a press conference at Tuensang headquarters on Monday, ENPO president, Tsapikyu Sangtam, said that the call for total shutdown stemed from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ failure to fulfill a written commitment given to the ENPO on January 16, 2023, which stated that “a solution as mutually agreed will be reached after following the due process and will be implemented after the completion of the election process (Nagaland Assembly)”.
While the state election process was completed in March last year, the ministry has so far, failed to address the matter, he said, asserting that the protests would intensify until the government responses.
To put it in context, Sangtam explained that the ENPO had initiated the demand for a separate state in 2010 but the government of India (GoI) denied its possibility and subsequently proposed a ‘unique arrangement’ which is the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory.
This was followed by several rounds of negotiations, as well as a resolution to boycott state and central elections in August 26, 2022, which was withdrawn based on assurances that a solution would be given post-election.
“This time, it will be very different, even if they offer assurances, until the work is done, we will not accept,” he asserted.
The ENPO said that it has been demanding the state government and GoI to finalise the creation of FNT before the upcoming Lok Sabha election and, “as early as possible before the Election Code of Conduct comes into force”.
“The moment Election Code of Conduct is announced, this will automatically go into cold storage, which we don’t want,” Sangtam said.
Further, the ENPO called upon everyone to support its cause, saying that it has “no hidden agenda.”
“If everyone comes together in this and extend their support, it will be a blessing for not only ENPO, but the whole Nagaland. That way, we can maintain unity, tranquility and peace,” Sangtam maintained.
ENSF, federating units to monitor shutdown
Meanwhile, the total shutdown in Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator districts went peacefully on Monday with closure of business establishments, all government and private offices, as well as private and government educational institutions.
The Power department, Fire And Emergency Services, and media were exempted from the purview of the shutdown along with cases of medical emergencies and weddings.
With volunteers from frontals organisations monitoring the shutdown, movement of public and government or private vehicles were totally restricted during the shutdown.
It was informed that the state of public emergency and the total shutdown would continue until further notice and the ENPO has endorsed the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation and its federating units to monitor the on-going shutdowns in their respective areas.
The ENSF has also convened an emergency 24th federal assembly on March 12 in Tuensang with its seven units and the Eastern Nagaland Sumi Students’ Union, to discuss matters pertaining to ENPO’s endorsement.