The Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) has in a statement on Saturday said it has decided to relax its August 26, 2022 resolution to abstain from the election process in Nagaland in view of the home ministry’s request to review its stand and the subsequent assurance given by union home minister Amit Shah on February 2 in Delhi.
ENPO stated that an executive meeting of the organization was held in Dimapur on Saturday where the organization has decided to lift the boycott call for the polls. ENPO said the meeting discussed the assurance given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ENPO office bearers on February 2 and that after due consultation with its constituent tribal bodies and frontal organizations, it decided to relax its resolution with immediate effect.
The MHA has assured that, “a solution as mutually agreed will be reached after following the due process and will be implemented after completion of the election process,” ENPO said.
It also mentioned that ENPO took “serious note” of the MHA’s request letter dated January 16, 2023 addressed to ENPO President to review the August 26, 2022 resolution of ENPO, its constituent tribal bodies and frontal organizations regarding non-participation in the elections to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls to the Nagaland Assembly in the larger interest of democracy in the country.
“In faith with the Union Home Minister and the MHA, Gol, ENPO relaxes the August 26, 2022 resolution in the interest of fair and peaceful conduct of election in the state,” it said.
Following this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday lauded the decision by ENPO to withdraw its assembly election boycott call, saying it is an “expression of trust in the Modi government.”
“It is heartening that in an expression of trust in the Modi government, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) in Nagaland has withdrawn its call to boycott the assembly elections. The decision will help in keeping the ongoing process of peace and development unhindered,” Shah said in a series of tweets.
The home minister said he was grateful to the group for the positive gesture reaffirming ENPO’s commitment to democratic processes. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made untiring efforts to assure the people of Northeast India that the government is with them and that the ENPO’s move is an approval of these endeavors.
Since 2010, ENPO has been demanding separate statehood – Frontier Nagaland – alleging that its area comprising six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamatore and Noklak have been neglected in all fronts.
The seven ENPO tribes also did not participate in the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland last year pressing for its demand.
ENPO area has 20 seats in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The last date for filing nominations is February 7 for the February 27 election.
Reports have claimed that the central government has offered creation of an autonomous council in the eastern districts of Nagaland.