ENPO leaders laud Amit Shah's proactive steps on demand for 'Frontier Nagaland'
Source: Nirendra Dev *

New Delhi, December 07 2022: Sources said the Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Eastern Nagaland for a two night halt in January, 2023 .

A special panel will also be set up to study the people's grievances in detail.

The apex Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which held a crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction at the manner the centre has handled their demand for carving out a separate state out of the 16th state of Indian Union.

"Hon'ble Union Home Minister highlighted a clear Road-map for amicable, legislative and sustainable solution for Eastern Nagaland.

Which will include consultation with the people of Eastern Nagaland and Nagaland State government.

Hon'ble Union Home Minister has also assured to visit Eastern Nagaland personally by January 2023; for which, the ENPO eagerly awaits his visit," the ENPO statement said.

It was given out as a landmark meeting which was later hailed by Eastern Nagaland-based body as "a very successful" one.

Mr Shah assured the delegation that time-bound steps will be taken to address the grievances of the far-flung region.

"It is to be stated that the Hon'ble Union Home Minister had appreciated the Eastern Nagaland people for being a part of the nation building thus far, which, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri.

Narendra Modiji is also aware, he stated.

Hon'ble Union Home Minister stated that the grievances and request for separate entity is understood," the statement from the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) said.

The seven tribes from the region - Konyaks, Sangtams, Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, Yimchungrus and Tikhirs have stayed away from this year's annual tourism extravaganza of Hornbill Festival being hosted in the state capital.

Eastern Nagaland comprises six districts - Tuensang, Mon, Shamatore, Longleng, Noklak and Kiphire.

Shah held the much awaited crucial meeting with ENPO leaders in presence of sitting BJP MP (Rajya Sabha), S Phangnon Konyak and two former MPs Asungba Sangtam and Wangyuh Konyak.

Among others Home Secretary, Director Intelligence Bureau, Addl.

Secretary Home (NE) and A K Mishra, peace emissary in Naga talks also attended.

Mishra's presence also makes it amply clear that Home Minister Shah understands very well the intricacies of the ongoing peace parleys with the NNPG and the NSCN-IM and how all these are inter-linked.

A delegation of NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi is also expected for crucial rounds of discussions with Mishra on December 8 .

Mishra reportedly has lately adopted a 'more crystal clear' stance vis-a-vis his interaction with the stakeholders.

The Centre has categorically rejected the demands for a separate Naga flag and Constitution as articulated by the NSCN-IM.

One key ENPO source on December 2 itself steadfastly opposed the presence of any minister or Chief Minister Rio (for Dec 3 meeting) saying no third party presence was required unless "they do not want to sabotage things" .

Rio's cabinet has ministers from Eastern Nagaland.

Now pressure will mount on 20 elected legislators from the region to quit the NDPP-BJP-NPF ministry.

Surveys in the 1990s had revealed that along the entire eastern belt of Nagaland (encompassing the six districts), runs a rich vein of coal, limestone, nickel, marble, cobalt and magnite.

But most of these have remained untapped due to a plethora of reasons.

The people from the region have grievances of being not treated properly by the mainstream Nagaland.

The charge is, however, denied by the mainstream politicians.

Tuensang-Mon region had joined Nagaland state since the 1960s when the 16 Point Agreement was inked between Naga public leaders under the banner of Naga People's Convention (NPC) and the Government of India.

No leader from the region could become Chief Minister while Chongshen Chang (from Tuensang district) had become deputy Chief Minister in 1990 under the ministry headed by K L Chishi.

The ministry, however, lasted only for a month and Chishi was toppled when two rivals of the time S C Jamir and Late Vamuzo had joined hands.

Incidentally, incumbent CM Rio was Chishi's Power Minister; but he was also a disqualified member and so was even Chongshen Chang.

As pradesh Congress chief Chingwang Konyak missed chief ministership in 1993 when he lost assembly polls from Wakching and later he was not given ticket for Tehok assembly seat.

Chingwang resigned as pradesh chief and also subsequently quit Congress.

Sources said it was indicated at Tuesday's (Dec 6) meeting that by December 15, 2022, the Home Ministry will set up a special committee.

It will be assigned to visit Eastern Nagaland for on the spot review of the demand and grievances probably in the presence of Nagaland state government representatives.

The general feeling in Eastern Nagaland is that this region has been failed by main-stream Nagaland.

This view is of course countered by mainstream Naga politicians.

One viewpoint is a number of MPs from various parties actually hailed from this region.

The list includes sitting Rajya Sabha MP, S.Phangnon Konyak of BJP.

She is also the first woman Rajya Sabha from Nagaland.

Others were former MPs Chingwang Konyak, Asungba Sangtam, Wangyuh Konyak and Late CM Chang.

The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) has been stewarding a demand for Frontier Nagaland for the last decade or so.

The influential Eastern Nagaland Students Federation (ENSF) had also quit the apex Naga Students Federation (NSF) a few years back.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

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