Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has stated that eastern Nagaland tribes will abstain from participating in the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2022 at Kisama, Kohima considering the “hardships faced by participants” from the region every year.
This was resolved during an ENPO-central executive council (CEC) meeting held on Oct. 14 at Tuensang.
ENPO, the apex body of seven tribes of eastern Nagaland, however, stated that the state government would be requested through the Eastern Nagaland Legislature Union (ENLU) to promote mini Hornbill Festival of the respective tribes.
Further, it said the public of eastern Nagaland would demand resignation of the 20 incumbent legislators of the region from the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), and all political party workers -- both central and regional -- if there is “no early response” from the Centre to the Frontier Nagaland statehood demand.
“Following that, an effective plan of action for furthering the movement will be worked out through the emergency ENPO-CEC meeting,” an update from ENPO stated on Sunday.
During the CEC meeting, the house also reaffirmed to uphold the December 18, 2007 Tuensang Summit ENPO resolution, which states that there should be ‘no bloodshed, threat, intimidation or any form of violence’ within eastern Nagaland jurisdiction.
“The public of ENPO shall not extend any public co-operation to any group(s) for non compliance of the above,” it read.
It also reiterated its August 26, 2022 resolution to not take part in any election process of the Centre and state governments until and unless a separate statehood is granted by the Govt. of India as demanded by the people of eastern Nagaland under the aegis of ENPO.
“It is to be stated that the seven tribal bodies -- CKS, KTC, KU, PPC, USLP, TTC, and YTC -- have been fully endorsed to mobilise at the grassroots for the success of this movement,” it added.