Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) Demands Implementation of Assured Autonomous Council

Expressing dissatisfaction over the delayed implementation of the assured autonomous council for the six eastern districts of Nagaland, known as the ‘Frontier Naga Territory,’ the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) held simultaneous public rallies across the six district headquarters. The ENPO, representing seven Naga tribes, demanded the effectuation of the autonomous council before the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The rallies concluded with a resolution stating that if the Central government does not honor the sentiments and aspirations of the region and if the Election Model Code of Conduct is declared without signing the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), the people will be “compelled” to take their own course of action.

Each of the seven constituent tribal units of ENPO submitted letters to their respective deputy commissioners, addressed to the Governor, expressing their concerns. The letters emphasized that if the Election Model Code of Conduct is announced without signing the MoS, the ENPO will not be held responsible for any untoward situation that may arise in Eastern Nagaland.

ENPO has been advocating for a separate Frontier Nagaland state since 2010, citing alleged discrimination on the development front. While the central government proposed an autonomous council for the region, the ENPO has insisted on the creation of a separate state. The Union home ministry assured a resolution after the state assembly elections, prompting the ENPO to lift its abstention call on elections in January 2023. The recent rallies reflect renewed pressure on the central government to address the longstanding issue.