Tripartite talks on ENPO issue any time from now — Kenye

KOHIMA — Nagaland government spokesperson and Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, on Tuesday, said that the tripartite talks between the Centre, Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and Nagaland government on the issue of the proposed ‘Naga Frontier Territory’ may take place ‘any time from now’.

The spokesperson, however, asserted that any arrangement for the eastern Naga people will in no way affect the special provisions for Nagaland guaranteed under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.

Addressing a press conference here at Hotel Japfü, Kenye disclosed that the final stage of the “talks” is just about to begin and even the nomenclature of the proposed arrangement is still uncertain.

Maintaining that the state government had not shied away from the call and desire of the eastern Naga people, the minister said it had, earlier in 2011, recommended to the central government that “a new entity” could be arranged for the eastern part of Nagaland, if “properly negotiated and agreed by all.”

Kenye said that irrespective of “eastern, western, northern” parts of the state, all fall under the jurisdiction of the government of Nagaland.

“We will continue to live as a people together,” he said, adding that the state government had decided to step in as Naga people from other parts of the state have become restive and anxious to know about the status of the negotiations between the GoI and ENPO.

“So, here, the MHA and ENPO, both actually are at fault for sidelining the government of Nagaland and the rest of the people of Nagaland in the dark,” Kenye said

He maintained that nobody is against the arrangement but everyone is concerned about the type of arrangements, the division of power, the structures, the status to be given, the nomenclature and other issues connected with the new entity.

The spokesperson underscored the need for transparency in the negotiations as the rest of the citizens cannot be made to linger on uncertainties. However, he expressed apprehension over the possibilities of “consequences” when portions of the state and people are sliced away from the present-day state.

Meanwhile, he informed that the Government of India is considering the exemption of tribal areas and Christians from the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the recent meeting with the Nagaland cabinet, had assured “in no uncertain terms” that the Centre is actively considering the exemption of tribal areas and Christians from the purview of UCC. He also exuded hope that the GoI would stand by its words and uphold the sanctity of the people.

Government’s stance on Manipur issue

Asked if the Nagaland government would intervene in the ongoing violence in Manipur, Kenye termed the issue as “ethnic-oriented and communal-oriented” and that the state government is extremely concerned and keenly observing the situation.

He, however, said it “cannot advice” or have the power to intervene.

He maintained that the concern now should be to restore peace without politicising and communalising.

Meanwhile, Kenye condemned the May 4 incident in Manipur where two tribal women were paraded naked and their modesty outraged by a mob. Describing the incident as ‘inhuman and crime against humanity,” he said no mercy should be shown to the accused.