Eastern Nagaland witnessed a stark absence of voters during the April 19 Lok Sabha polls, as six districts experienced minimal polling activity.
The Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) led a campaign urging citizens to abstain from voting and led a complete shutdown in the region, advocating for autonomous territory.
For Nagaland's sole Lok Sabha seat, contested by candidates from NDPP, Congress, and an Independent, the voter turnout in the state barely reached 56%.
Particularly, the six districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, representing over 30% of the state's population and 20 legislative assembly seats, saw negligible participation.
On April 18, the Nagaland CEO issued a show cause notice to the ENPO, stating that the call for a total shutdown all over Eastern Nagaland “attempts to use undue influence at elections by interfering with the free exercise of those residing in Eastern Nagaland areas” to vote in the elections.
In his response sent to the CEO Friday, ENPO president Tsapikiu Sangtam wrote that the shutdown was a “voluntary initiative by the people” and that the ENPO does not have the means to enforce its orders and resolutions and that they “operate solely on the basis of voluntary participation and consensus among the Eastern Nagaland people.”
The ENPO, the primary Naga body representing six districts, initially called for a boycott of last year's Assembly polls (February 27) in support of their demand for a separate state.
However, they later withdrew the boycott following assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In response to ENPO's demand, the Union Home Ministry formed a three-member committee, chaired by Adviser for Northeast, A.K. Mishra, to investigate their request.
The committee visited Nagaland multiple times and engaged in discussions with all stakeholders.
Subsequent discussions between the ENPO, MHA, and Nagaland government representatives aimed at establishing a 'Frontier Naga Territory' within Nagaland, equipped with distinct legislative, executive, and financial powers.
Nagaland CM extends support
Earlier, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the demand for a separate state by the people of the eastern part of the state is "not wrong".
"Nagas, we speak our mind and it is not wrong for them (Eastern Nagaland people) to say what their thinking and desire is but all these issues will be resolved, Rio said.
However, amid concerns of electoral boycotts, Rio has expressed hope for a resolution through democratic means and urged for rational discourse among the state's tribal communities.
Why is the ENPO demanding a separate state?
Reasons:
- Lack of development in the eastern districts
- Desire for better attention to the needs of the region
ENPO and Eastern Nagaland region
- ENPO represents seven Naga tribes: Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang Sangtam, Tikhir, Phom, and Yimkhiung
- Covers six districts: Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator
- Holds 20 out of 60 seats in the Nagaland Assembly
Arguments for a separate state:
- Development deficit in the eastern districts compared to the rest of Nagaland
- Creation of a new state will ensure better focus on development in the region
Historical background:
- Eastern Nagaland was under British administration as the Tuensang Frontier Division
- Merged with Naga Hills District of Assam in 1957
- Became part of Nagaland state in 1963
- Gained full representation in the Nagaland Assembly in 1973
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