“All Nagas must show solidarity with the people of eastern Nagaland”
Stating that the decision of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) to abstain from the ongoing Lok Sabha election was “fully justified,” The Naga Rising said that it applauds the determination of the public of eastern Nagaland for exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully, standing their ground “despite pressure to surrender their position.”
“This demonstration of unity and sense of purpose is a valuable lesson for the rest of the Nagas,” TNR remarked.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TNR said that all Nagas should support the ENPO and the people of eastern Nagaland during this difficult and challenging time. “Taking an honest stand, which was a humane and democratic response to the many failed promises, must be respected,” it added.
TNR further said that any attempt to take action against the ENPO and the people of eastern Nagaland will be unfair and may only alienate them. Other Nagas must reach out to them, while the Government of India should regain their trust, it added.
TNR also said that the ENPO also deserves credit, considering the sentiments of Nagas towards unity.
“From its earlier demand for a separate State of Frontier Nagaland, it accepted the alternative proposal for Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) ‘without insisting on dividing Nagaland State’. Nagas must acknowledge this sacrifice made by the ENPO for the greater cause of our fraternity and also for its support to help find a permanent solution to the Indo-Naga issue,” TNR said.
Whatever may be the outcome of the present Lok Sabha elections, TNR said that efforts must continue towards finding an amicable resolution to the proposed FNT. Real and effective powers must be delegated to the FNT as the genuine grievances presented by the ENPO merits immediate attention, TNR said.
“The ENPO and eastern Nagaland have shown us the true meaning of unity and the way to stand together for one’s cause. The power of the people has triumphed,” TNR further said.
TNR observed that the people of eastern Nagaland have been deeply hurt by the manner in which they have been “deceived” by those in power, not just once, but several times.
The BJP has been making electoral promises to grant “Frontier Nagaland” since the time of Nitin Gadkari, when he was its President (2012), TNR stated, adding that nothing happened even though the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014 and ruled for two successive terms.
TNR also said that the call of the ENPO to abstain from voting was not a new thing. “Earlier, in 2022, a call was given not to participate in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly Elections owing to the government’s failure to meet their demand. The ENPO relented after specific assurances were given by none other than the union home minister. Similar promise was made by the GoI in December 2023 to resolve the issue and ink a deal before the model code of conduct,” TNR said.
“History repeated itself on 19th April 2024 in the Naga Hills. In an extraordinary act of unity of purpose, our brothers and sisters of eastern Nagaland have successfully shown what people’s movement should be like,” TNR said.
It went on to say that the last time the Nagas saw such a unity was on 16 May 1951 when the Nagas successfully conducted a plebiscite that shaped the course of Naga history.
“To refresh public memory, in the past, when the Naga public wanted ‘solution and not election’, they were given assurance by those in power with slogans such as ‘election for solution’. Unfortunately, many surrendered to the seduction of money power and allowed such false promises to triumph. We salute the ENPO for not failing their people and, truthfully standing for their cause and belief,” TNR stated.