Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 3 (EMN): Nagaland Cabinet on Tuesday decided to appeal to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to reconsider its demand for a separate state in the “greater interest” of the Nagas.
Speaking to journalists after the cabinet meeting at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima, Minister of Planning and Coordination, Parliamentary Affairs, and Land Revenue, Neiba Kronu, said the “Cabinet has taken a decision that while expressing our sympathy to eastern Naga people, we have decided to appeal to them to reconsider their demand in the greater interest of our people”.
He said that all the legislators had come together for a solution to the Naga political issue.
With solution as the ‘topmost priority’, the Cabinet decided to appeal to them and for which all efforts should be given to resolve the issue, he said.
The minister added that the discussion between the ENPO and the Union Ministry has to be updated to the state government, only after which it has to make a decision.
Addressing journalists separately after the cabinet meeting, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) co-chairman and leader of the Naga People’s Front legislature party, Kuzholuzo Nienu, opined that the legislators would not abstain or boycott the election.
‘It (election) is a constitutional provision. It is a democratic process and once an election is announced, all political parties will have no option but to participate in the election and for that, no one will abstain’, he assured.
He went on to add that they are ‘mentally prepared’ and will start the election campaign.
“The ENPO issue is quite sensitive and we (Cabinet) have requested ENPO brothers to re-examine their demand for Frontier Nagaland in the greater interest of the Nagas as a whole,” Nienu said.
“The ENPO demand is an important issue. But nevertheless, for the UDA government, Naga political solution is still the priority,” he said and urged the government of India to expedite the Naga political solution at the earliest.
He also said that the state cabinet “never recommended” a separate state.
‘On July 23, 2011, the Cabinet stood by the integration of all the contiguous states and it still stands by that.
‘There was never an assembly resolution (endorsing frontier state). The resolution was the demand for the integration of all the contiguous states. The assembly passed four resolutions in that regard and we still stand by that,’ he said.
The Cabinet recommended the autonomous council but ENPO rejected it and the matter ends there, he added.
Further, the Ministry of Home Affairs’ visit has “ruled out” a separate state, Nienu said, citing an eastern Nagaland legislator, who informed the cabinet meeting.
As for the alternative solution to the ENPO’s demand, Nienu said their ‘main intention’ is development and financial assistance.
‘Their demand is genuine and should be looked into but at least not dividing the Nagas,’ he said.
He added that the MHA is meeting with ENPO soon.
‘The demand of ENPO and what the government of India will offer is not yet known and should be made known. Whatever their (ENPO) demand is, we support them’, he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming state assembly election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister are scheduled to visit Nagaland in January on separate dates.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed that PM Modi is scheduled to visit the state on January 13 or 14 while Shah will arrive on January 6.
Rio stated this while addressing the 61st Zhadima Youth Organisation Meet at Zhadima village on Tuesday.
He also said the final solution to the Naga political issue remains the ‘top priority’ for the state government.
‘If a solution is attained, Nagaland would see an increase in seats in the state assembly, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, besides economic development in the state,’ Rio added.
He added that Nagaland would be compelled to proceed with the election by February or early March depending on the decision of the Election Commission of India.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Tuesday reiterated its stand to abstain from any electoral process of the Centre or state during an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
In a meeting held at DUDA Guest House at Sovima, the seven tribal bodies of ENPO -- Chang Khulie Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Konyak Union, Phom People’s Council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, Tikhir Tribal Council, and Yimkiung Tribal Council -- reaffirmed the resolution adopted on August 26, 2022 and reaffirmation of the same at the central executive council (CEC) meeting in Mon on November 16 and CEC meeting at Tuensang on December 19, that “the people of eastern Nagaland shall not participate in any election process of the state and the centre until and unless a separate statehood Frontier Nagaland is fulfilled as demanded by the people of eastern Nagaland through the grassroots”.
In a press statement, it said the house acknowledged Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, and Central Committee on Frontier Nagaland statehood demand headed by AK Mishra, Advisor (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs, for their “sincerity in taking up the issue with utmost urgency,” and further expressed confidence that the government of India would fulfill the aspiration of the eastern Nagas without further delay.