The announcement of the Lok Sabha election date by the Election Commission of India for April 19 in Nagaland resulted in the immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) effective from 16 March.
This development is particularly significant in light of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization’s (ENPO) demand for the Frontier Naga Territory. On 7 December 2023, Amit Shah assured the people of Eastern Nagaland that the issue would be resolved “before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.”
Fast forward to 17 March 2024, the MCC was enforced amidst the declaration and imposition of “Public Emergency” in Eastern Nagaland by ENPO. This declaration by ENPO came as a protest against the perceived delay by the Centre in addressing their demand for the Frontier Naga Territory. Furthermore, ENPO has chosen to boycott the Lok Sabha election and has called for a halt to all ongoing State and Central Government-sponsored constructions in the region until further notice.
Protestors also expressed their grievances by burning effigies of Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, and National BJP President JP Nadda, prompting swift reactions from the BJP Nagaland.
In the midst of the “public emergency,” Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland and the 20 elected members from Eastern Nagaland to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly were summoned to Tuensang headquarters within a specified timeframe. However, the scheduled meeting was postponed by ENPO following the expiration of a 36-hour ultimatum issued by the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) and its federating units due to the impending travel of the Eastern Nagaland Legislatures’ Union (ENLU) to New Delhi on 15 March. Consequently, the meeting was rescheduled to 19 March 2024 at CKS Hall Tuensang.
However, ENLU once again appealed to the ENPO to defer the proposed 19 March meeting stating that they are presently stationed in Delhi to discuss the Frontier Nagaland issue with central leaders. They mentioned that they were waiting for an appointment. However, ENPO declined the request stating, “there will be no point meeting central leaders since the Election Model Code of Conduct to the Lok Sabha 2024 has already been declared by the ECI.”
Meanwhile, the Konyak Union has urged immediate action to ensure the adequate stocking of essential supplies in the Mon district, emphasizing the need to prepare for potential disruptions and maintain community needs during this period.
The KU has stressed that the situation may worsen quickly and emphasized the need to prepare for any potential disruptions. They have urged stockists to maintain a sufficient supply of goods to meet community needs during this period.
As uncertainty looms over the fate of the Frontier Nagaland Territory, it becomes increasingly apparent that the Centre has yet to address the concerns of the people of Eastern Nagaland effectively.