Nagaland government minister and spokesperson KG Kenye has urged greater unity between the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) amid ongoing discussions on the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), warning that a “slight gap of communication” risks derailing the process.
Kenye described the gap as a serious issue requiring internal deliberation among eastern leaders. “Something we have observed which came to light is there’s a slight gap of communication between the ENLU and ENPO authorities… This is something very serious which we would like their own leaders to have more deliberation, more consultation from within them,” he told reporters.
He stressed the need for coherence and unanimity, noting that any decision made without proper consultation could prove detrimental. “If there are miscommunications and tomorrow, without the consent or proper consultation, the matter gets through and it comes as a surprise, not pleasant but otherwise, then that would be very unfortunate for the cause which should not happen and which the state feels should never happen,” Kenye said.
The minister reminded that the 20 elected legislators from the ENPO region represent the same people and land as the ENPO leadership. “The leaders are elected; they have 20 elected members from the present ENPO region. They are not self appointed, they are elected by the people and whatever is being negotiated is also for the same people and the same land and there should be more understanding, coherence and unanimity among them while resolving their points,” he added.
Kenye described the FNT proposal as a “new exercise” distinct from past models. “This being a new exercise, something entirely new for all of us, the ENPO as well as the state, not a union territory, not another state, not under the Sixth Schedule nor Regional Council of the 1960s and 70s, but it should be within the Article 371A… so it’s quite a tricky matter and very complicated,” he explained.
He emphasized the state government’s custodial role over the entire territory. “Whatever name and style the entity takes or whatever shape it assumes, ultimately it is still a part of the state. So the state government is the ultimate authority and the guardian and custodian of the welfare of our people and our land throughout every inch of the state,” Kenye said.
The minister revealed that earlier recommendations from the state had been returned by New Delhi for further inputs. “The earlier recommendation have been somehow again returned from Delhi to be resumed by us, the state government, with more inputs from the ENPO,” he noted, underscoring the need to balance the aspirations of the eastern region with the state’s responsibilities and central approval.
