In a bid to persuade the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) to reverse its decision to boycott the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections, the Nagaland government has extended a plea, emphasising the significance of participation for the broader welfare of the populace.
The ENPO, representing seven Naga tribes in the region, has steadfastly pressed for a separate state since 2010, citing prolonged neglect of six districts in eastern Nagaland.
Following the ENPO's communication to the State Election Commission (SEC) announcing their intention to abstain from the ULB elections scheduled for June 26, the state government reiterated its call during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
State Minister K G Kenye articulated the government's appeal to the ENPO, underlining the court-directed imperative of the elections, particularly stemming from protracted legal tussles over women’s representation in ULBs.
The Eastern Nagaland populace, in a resolute stance mirrored in the "Chenmoho Resolution" reaffirmed on March 19, vowed non-participation in state and central elections until the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), pledged by the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 7, 2023.
April's Lok Sabha elections witnessed a stark manifestation of this resolve, with zero voter turnout in the six eastern districts, symbolising a collective discontent with the delay in FNT realization.
Despite sustained appeals through correspondence and public demonstrations, the ENPO lamented the purported indifference of the Ministry of Home Affairs towards their demands, constraining them to resort to such drastic measures as abstention from electoral processes.
Clarifying their stance, the ENPO emphasised that their decision transcends mere defiance of democratic principles, instead constituting a principled assertion within the constitutional framework, aimed at spotlighting the legitimate grievances and aspirations of the eastern Nagaland populace.
Addressing another pertinent issue, Kenye addressed the Centre's decision to revoke the free movement regime along the India-Myanmar border, a significant portion of which lies within Nagaland.
The state assembly had previously passed a resolution, urging the Centre to reconsider this move, which entails fencing the border and retracting the free movement privilege, allowing movement up to 16 km on either side of the international boundary.
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