- DIMAPUR — The
Eastern Naga People's Organisation (ENPO) has raised concerns about security in
the Northeast region, following a reported claim by Major General (Rtd.) ALM
Fazlur Rahman of Bangladesh suggesting potential occupation of the NE region
should India attack Pakistan.
- In a statement issued on Sunday, the ENPO stated that its
apprehension stems from “numerous unresolved issues dragging on for so many
decades through lukewarm and divisive policies” of the government of India.
- “Under such circumstances, the region might tend to succumb
to such aggressive stand unless the GoI redefines its policies. Instead, GoI
must uphold its utmost principle, ‘Unity in diversity’, in strengthening the
people of the nation through liberty, equality and fraternity as envisaged in
the preamble of the Indian Constitution,” the statement read.
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- Further fuelling anxieties, the ENPO highlighted the
suspected saturation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the region and went
on to state that this raises concerns about external invasion not only from
across the border but also from within.
- It advocated for a unified approach among all ethnic groups
of NE states to develop a strategy for safeguarding their ancestral and
traditional territories.
- The organisation lauded the "proactive role" of
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in demonstrating "dynamic and
bold leadership skills" to protect the internal security of Assam. It
called for similar strategic stances to be adopted by all Northeast states.
- However, it also pointed out the Assam government's past
role in "harbouring/accommodating lakhs of illegal immigrants for vote
bank politics.”
- The ENPO also commended the governor and the chief minister
of Nagaland for their state-wide call for vigilance and national security,
highlighting the state government's commitment to express solidarity with the
Indian Armed Forces and the national leadership, reaffirming their commitment
to national security and unity.
