GUWAHATI:
A day after the Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for Nagaland assembly elections, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has directed all the apex tribal bodies of Eastern Nagaland not to proceed with any assembly election campaign.
“The order will be in force until the demand for separate statehood does not get fulfilled,” the order stated.
ENPO has decided to boycott the upcoming assembly polls if their demand for a Frontier Nagaland is not met.
Seven tribes of Eastern Nagaland, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam and Yimkhiung are spread across six districts.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation hereby directs all the federating units of NSF and sub-ordinate bodies to strictly implement the letter No ENSF/01-RES/22 dated 19th December 2022, resolved during the emergency presential meeting held at Tuensang headquarters,” ENPO president Chingmak Chang and general secretary Khomo PKhiam said in a fresh order on Thursday.
“That any official of ENSF, federating units and its unit holding any designated posts are directed to resign or withdraw from any political party entity and affiliation at the earliest,” it said.
Meanwhile, Konyak Union, a constituent of ENPO held an emergency meeting at KU conference hall on Wednesday and reiterated to remain steadfast to the August 26 2022 ENPO resolution to abstain from participating from the upcoming assembly elections until the Indian government grants the demand of ENPO for a separate statehood befittingly.
“The house resolved to permanently expel those individuals filing nomination to participate in the election from the Konyak soil and the village of the person filing nomination shall be held responsible,” the Konyak Union said in a statement.
“The KU has also fully endorsed and empowered the Konyak Nyunpu Sheko Khong (KNSK), Konyak Students Union (KSI) and Village Councils to fully implement and act upon the resolution.,” it said.
The meeting was attended by the chairmen of Konyak villages, apex CSO, Konyak Union executive council members, KU advisory board members and senior leaders and intellectuals.