Dimapur, October 7 (MExN): The seven federating units of the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) each submitted a five-point memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to “immediately and proactively” look into the demand for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’ state.
The memorandum was submitted through the Deputy Commissioners by the Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU), Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU), United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC), and the Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako, following a public walkathon in several places across the six Eastern Nagaland districts on Friday.
Accordingly, the memorandum stated that the six districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator, have been neglected by successive governments in the state of Nagaland for the past 59 years. “The region has been deprived from basic necessities of life such as education, health services and economy which is no doubt a direct threat to the security of the nation,” it stated.
Beginning with the formation of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) known as Tuensang Frontier Division under the Ministry of External Affairs in 1948, and its amalgamation into the state of Nagaland, the memorandum stated that “the people of Eastern Nagaland has faced ineffable discrimination in the hands of the biased and prejudice leaders.” Prior to 1948, the Eastern Nagaland region which occupies 8154 sq.kms and a population of approximately 48 percent of the total population of Nagaland, “remained free from any colonial rule,” it said.
“The understanding vouched between the two entities were never implemented in letter and in spirit. The 59th years of existence of the state, the eastern most region still remains as one of the most neglected area in every aspect of social and economic life and the jurisprudence of Article 371 A of the Constitution of India is highly challenged (Sic),” it maintained.
Calling for the Government of India under Prime Minister Modi to “immediately and proactively look into the long cherished dream of the people of Eastern Nagaland over the legitimate demand for Frontier Nagaland/statehood demand,” it further stated that the Unions would remain constituent and steadfast in the pursuit of Frontier Nagaland/statehood demand, in the larger interest of the public of Eastern Nagaland and to protect the rights of its people.
