Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on Monday announced its decision to “temporarily” accept the offer of the government of India for Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
In a press release, ENPO president M. Honang Konyak and general secretary Chingmak Chang informed that tripartite talk on ENPO-FNT issue was held in New Delhi on December 13, 2024. It said that the tripartite meeting was convened as per the discussion held between the ENPO and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) committee at Guwahati on August 13, 2024 and on the direction of the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah.
During the tripartite meeting, the ENPO delegation made its unwavering stand very clear that the demand of the people of Eastern Nagaland is for a separate Statehood “Frontier Nagaland”. However, the having considered the difficulties of the Government of India at the present juncture, ENPO said it decided to temporarily accept the FNT offer, which it described was “a unique arrangement” with executive, legislative and financial autonomy.
ENPO said the meeting witnessed “a significant progress” and had decided to have next round of tripartite meeting very soon by the second week of January 2025 to deliberate over some unresolved issues. With the ongoing negotiation on FNT at an advanced stage, the ENPO expressed optimism that the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would not fail in fulfilling the proposed offer of FNT in the interest of the people of Eastern Nagaland. Further, ENPO expressed its confidence that the Union Home Amit Shah and the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, would honour the statement declared on February 20, 2023 at Mon town and on February 21, 2023 at Tuensang town that once the NDPP-BJP government comes to power, ENPO issues would be materialised with full cooperation from the state government.
Meanwhile, ENPO has thanked the state government for giving its comments as required by the Centre over the highlights of the MoS Draft on FNT, which it said paved a way for the progress of the Tripartite meeting held on December 13, 2024 at New Delhi. ENPO also expressed appreciation to the MHA Committee led by AK Mishra for their “utmost sincerity and commitment” to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland without further delay.
The Government of India was represented by the union home secretary Govin Mohan; chief of intelligent bureau Tapan Kumar Deka; advisor north east in-charge AK Mishra; joint director (IB) Rajesh Kumble; consultant (NE) AK Dhyani; government of Nagaland was represented by chief secretary J Alam; additional chief secretary & finance commissioner Senti Yanger; CEO Nagaland & home commissioner Vyasan R; commissioner & secretary law & justice Kikheto Sema; commissioner Nagaland Anden Konyak; commissioner secretary to the chief minister, Nagaland Kesonyu Yhome, while the ENPO delegation was led by its president Chingmak Chang, vice presidents Shahsha L. Phom and Z. Throngshe Yimchunger, general secretary Honang Konyak, finance secretary Khehoto Sumi, former MP (LS) K. Asungba Sangtam, former state minister P. Pongom Khiamniungan, Former ENPO president R. Tsapikiu Sangtam, KU president Tingtok Konyak and USLP president K. Aliba Sangtam.
Source: NPN
