EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 13
In a very significant development, the government of India and the Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) has reportedly come to the agreement, “in principle”, that the process of discussion and the demand for a “Frontier Nagaland” by the ENPO is a separate issue in nature from the present Naga peace talk.
This was announced through a press release issued by the ENPO on Sunday. According to the statement the two parties also arrived at the understanding that the Naga political issue and the ENPO demand for “Frontier Nagaland” cannot be mixed up and misunderstood.
“The first round of the bilateral talks between the GoI and ENPO was held on the September 10, 2015 at New Delhi in regard to the demand for the separate state “Frontier Nagaland” by the six federating tribes of the ENPO. It may be recalled that the resolution for the separate statehood was adopted on the 25th of May, 2000 at Tuensang head quarter which was endorsed by the village councils of the six tribes.
“The movement for the demand is based on a public referendum which was further endorsed to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ENPO for representation of the public memorandum to the GoI through the Prime Minister. Subsequently, a memorandum was officially submitted to the GoI through the then Union Home Minister on the 6th of December, 2010, and the then Union Home Secretary on the 8th of December, 2010,” it read.
According to the ENPO, the discussion between the officials of the MHA and the ENPO was held under a very cordial and constructive atmosphere with fairness and openness, where the issues and grievances of the people of eastern Nagaland were highlighted for the consumption, better understanding and feedback of both the parties.
“The subject of discussions pertained to the historical and political background of the ENPO and whereby, the glaring socio-economic and political imbalances were highlighted before the central officials which, is an outcome of outright discrimination and negligence by the successive governments of both the centre and the state from day one.
“It may also be mentioned that a tri-partite talk on the same which was proposed by the GoI was politely opposed, and thereafter both the parties mutually agreed to initially have several rounds of bilateral talks. As was also officially intimated to the govt. of Nagaland in regard to the former by the GoI, the same has also been informed for the later (i.e. bilateral meeting).”
It further infirmed that the next round of the bilateral talks between the ENPO and New Delhi is expected to be held before the year end.
