DIMAPUR, JANUARY 23 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Legislator’s Union (ENLU) has decided to contest in the upcoming Nagaland General Elections which is set to be held on February 27. This comes despite growing opposition from tribe bodies from Eastern Nagaland to participate in the polls, in support of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) demand for a separate state of Frontier Nagaland.
The decision to contest the polls was made in a resolution adopted during an emergency meeting of the ENLU on January 22. A copy of the resolution was being circulated on social media on January 23, and it was confirmed to be legitimate.
“In an emergency meeting held on January 22, 2023 pertaining to the ENPO resolution to abstain from the 14th NLA election, after a thorough deliberation the house resolved to participate in the upcoming general election 2023 since the election has been notified by the ECI on January 18, 2023,” the resolution read.
All 20 legislators from Eastern Nagaland were in the meeting where the resolution was made, and their signatures were appended in the attendance sheet of the meeting.
The legislators were N Bongkhao Konyak (NDPP, Tobu); V Kashiho Sangtam (BJP, Seyochung Sitimi); Toyang Chang (NDPP, Tuensang Sadar I); YM Yollow Konyak (NDPP, Wakching); N Thongwang Konyak (NDPP, Mon Town); BS Nganlang (NDPP, Tamlu); H Haiying (BJP, Noklak); Pohwang Konyak (NDPP, Phomching); Keoshu Yimchunger (NDPP, Shamator Chessore); S Pangnyu Phom (BJP, Longleng); Kejong Chang (NDPP, Tuensang Sadar II); Noke (NDPP, Tapi); P Paiwang Konyak (BJP, Tizit); Eshak Konyak (NDPP, Aboi); H Chuba Chang (NDPP, Noksen); EE Pangteang (NDPP, Moka); T Yangseo Sangtam (Independent, Pungro Kiphire); CL John (NDPP, Tehok); Muthingnyuba Sangtam (NDPP, Longkhim Chare); and L Khumo Khiamniungan (NDPP, Thonoknyu).
This decision from the Eastern Nagaland legislators comes even as a large number of organizations from the different tribes of Eastern Nagaland have come out in recent days stating that they would boycott the upcoming polls in support of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) demand for a separate state of Frontier Nagaland.
The Konyak Union, Chang Khulei Setshang, United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji, Khiamniungan Tribal Council and the Phom Peoples’ Council have recently come out with stern statements declaring their intent to boycott the upcoming Nagaland polls. In separate statements over the course of the past few days, the apex bodies prohibited poll related activities in their jurisdictions, cautioned anyone from their respective jurisdictions against filing nomination for the elections, and some warned of ‘excommunication’ if candidates did not adhere to their directive.
