Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Nagaland, S Supongmeren Jamir, raised the issue of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) demand for Frontier Nagaland Territory on August 9. Addressing Parliament, the Congress MP from Nagaland inquired about the tripartite talks between the Government of India, the state government of Nagaland, and the ENPO, stating that he would like to know about the Memorandum of Settlement of December 6, 2022, and the Draft Working Paper (DWP) between the GoI, State of Nagaland, and ENPO.
The MP also appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to urgently address the matter and resolve the issues between the GoI, the State government of Nagaland, and the ENPO.
In his speech, Jamir noted that out of the 16 districts in Nagaland, six are demanding a separate state—a demand that began on November 25, 2010. He explained that the demand stems from the fact that, since 1963, the ENPO people have been deprived of employment opportunities, equal fund allocation, and the benefits of the Act East policy. Additionally, the natural resources, skills, and talents of the people, as well as infrastructure, roads and highways, education, and healthcare, have not been adequately provided for by the government.
“They have three international trade centers—Dan Pangsha, Longwa, and Mimi— but that also was not taken care of by the government,” Jamir said. The ENPO has also requested the upgradation of the Village Guards, he added.
Jamir further stated that in response to the ENPO’s demand, the state government formed a committee on May 23, 2011, and responded to the demand for a separate state. He said that the state government proposed an autonomous body, but the ENPO rejected this, insisting on a separate state. Jamir also mentioned that the BJP government agreed to grant Frontier Nagaland Territory, which the ENPO accepted as a “third option.”
However, Jamir pointed out that due to delays in fulfilling these promises, “they have abstained from the last parliamentary election and the town council and regional council elections. Now it is deteriorating the situation and it may bring social disharmony among our Naga brothers.”
As such, Jamir appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to urgently address the FNT matter and resolve the issue between the GoI, the State government of Nagaland, and the ENPO.
It is worth mentioning that the Speaker initially did not allow Jamir to raise his two unstarred questions related to the agreements signed between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups, as well as the FNT issue. However, following subsequent requests by the MP, the Speaker permitted him to raise the FNT issue in the Lok Sabha.
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