ENPO demands EAC posting, police outpost at Kiusam

Tuensang, October 13 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) on Tuesday expressed deep anguish over the recent communal violence in Kiusam Circle, Pungro town and Shamator Town and alleged of “serious lapses” in governance and maintenance of law and order which, it said, could have averted the conflict.

The ENPO, in a statement issued by its media cell, said a delegation along with tribal councils undertook a peace mission tour to the affected areas and held separate consultative meetings with the tribal councils of the Yimkhiung and Tikhir communities at their respective tribal headquarters on October 11 and 12.

“During the consultation, the ENPO fervently appealed to both communities to exercise utmost restraint and prevent any further escalation of violence within their respective jurisdictions,” it said.  Both Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) were urged to heed the appeals made by various Eastern tribal councils for restoration of peace.

The ENPO, however, stated that during its peace mission tour to the affected headquarters it “observed serious lapses on the part of the administrative machinery in governance and in maintenance of law and order; otherwise, such conflicts could have been avoided.” It demanded that the shortage of manpower and facilities in the administration and police establishment be addressed immediately.

Placing a three-point demand before the State Government for immediate action, the ENPO sought the immediate posting of an EAC at Kiusam, which is presently kept under the in-charge of EAC Pungro; creation and immediate establishment of a Police Outpost at Kiusam with sufficient manpower; and urgent relief and rehabilitation of displaced families affected by the communal violence in Kiusam area, Pungro area and Shamator Town.

The organisation extended its appreciation to YTC led by its President Throngso Yimkhiung and TTC led by its President Timong Tikhir and their respective teams “for making concerted efforts to cool down the situation and prevent further escalation.” It also acknowledged the efforts of District Administrations and Police of Shamator and Kiphire Districts and the Commanding Officer (CO), 30 Assam Rifle, for taking prompt measures to contain the situation “despite limited facilities and resources.”

The ENPO, on behalf of the entire people of Eastern Nagaland, also placed on record its acknowledgment to the United Sangtam Likhüm Pümji (USLP) under its President Aliba Sangtam “for playing an exemplary role by accommodating displaced families from both tribes at Kiphire Town and for ensuring peace and tranquillity within Kiphire Town.”

Appealing to the State Government to ensure that the academic career of students belonging to the affected families is not jeopardised due to the recent communal conflict, the ENPO said all concerned authorities must take immediate remedial measures to ensure uninterrupted education and necessary support for the affected students.

Further, the ENPO urged all Churches of Nagaland and Eastern Nagaland in particular, to “uphold the region in prayer for restoration of lasting peace, harmony and tranquillity.”