Mokokchung, October 7 (MTNews): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), reiterating its demand for a Frontier Nagaland state, has kick-started the first phase of its agitation in the form of a public walkathon on Friday which was held in all the tribal headquarters, administrative headquarters and sub-divisions in eastern Nagaland.
The public walkathon was conducted in support of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO)’s demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland state where denizens from different walks of life joined the walkathon which included leaders of civil society organizations, Church, village elders, students and general public. The walkathon witnessed more than three lakh participants, which is believed to be the largest walkathon public movement in the history of Eastern Nagaland, ENSF said in a press release received here.
The seven federating units of ENSF, including Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU), Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Tikhir Students Union (TSU), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC), Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA) and 63 “orchestrated Clusters” consisting of 451 subordinate students’ bodies participated in the public walkathon.
“The consolidated gathering marched to the nearest Cluster hub holding placards and sent a strong message to the Prime Minister of India stating that the federation is ‘very much serious’ over the ongoing demand and seek for his immediate intervention,” ENSF stated.
The Federating units of ENSF also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the respective Deputy Commissioners in support of Frontier Nagaland demand, urging him to “immediately and proactively” look into the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland state.
The ENSF, while applauding all the seven federating units and subordinate bodies for their pro-activeness and for showing “exuberance and steadfast” in all the “prompt and impromptu” directives bestowed to them, also urged them to maintain the same zeal and remain “conscientious against all odds.”
The federation also said that the movement and the demand are the sheer responsibilities of the all denizens of Eastern Nagaland which is based on constitutional and historical rights.
Seven tribal bodies under ENPO i.e Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC), Konyak (KU), Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC),Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC),United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USSP) and Phom Peoples’ Council (PTC) and ENPO leaders also participated in the public walkathon and delivered short speeches.
It was informed that speeches of pivotal importance on Frontier Nagaland Statehood Demand were expounded holistically by the ENSF officials in the seven Tribal Headquarters of its Federating Units. “Chronology and the background on the demand of Frontier Nagaland were elucidated in respective tribal vernacular languages which were initiated by seven tribal apex student’s bodies’ leaders in 63 orchestrated clusters,” it said.
Chingmak Chang, President ENSF in his speech stressed on socio economic, developmental and political aspects of Eastern Nagaland wherein, he said, “a colossal deprivation has metered towards the eastern people since time immemorial under different leaders and government.” He said that the eastern Nagas were never embraced as brethren but were rather treated as second class citizens of the state which led them to their quest for the Frontier Nagaland demand.
Chang said the easternmost region of Nagaland bordering Myanmar remained a poverty-stricken remotest land with no plausible sign of development and the largest number of educated unemployed youth, pathetic road conditions, lack of human resource development and infrastructure even 59 years after Nagaland attained statehood.
Further, the federation also stated that it will not “imbibe any lacuna” in quest for Frontier Nagaland Statehood demand and will remain steadfast and consistent in its pursuit till its demand is materialized.