Will prioritise Naga political issue, ENPO demand, says Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP

KOHIMA — Nagaland’s lone Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, S Supongmeren Jamir, on Friday outlined his priorities for the upcoming Parliament session, which is likely to start on July 22.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee’s thanksgiving programme in Kohima, following the party’s success in the Lok Sabha elections, the MP said that issues like the Naga political issue, particularly the ‘delay’ in implementation of the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 2015, and the Agreed Position inked with the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups in 2017, as well as the demands of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), are his top priorities.

He went on to say that his election campaign too was centred on these three key issues, while accusing the Centre for the delay in implementation of two agreements signed with Naga political groups.

Jamir also expressed disappointment over being denied an opportunity to speak during the recent Parliament session, alleging that the ruling party was “adamant” in not granting him and other Congress MPs time to address the house. However, he expressed hope of voicing his concerns during the budget session.

If given the opportunity to speak in the Parliament, he said he would question the continued imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland despite the existing ceasefire.

The Ceasefire Monitoring Cell should be upgraded and transitioned from a “ceasefire mode” to a more proactive approach, he added.

Further, he said his focus is also on the ‘educated unemployed youth’ and entrepreneurship.