Morung Express News
Tuensang/Dimapur | March 12
Amid the ongoing ‘Public Emergency’ declared by the ENPO, the Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) and its federating units today issued directives for the Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and 20 Elected Members from the region to assemble in Tuensang HQ within 36 hours from March 12.
This directive is supported by various tribal bodies and organizations, urging compliance until the designated members report as instructed, stated the Federation on Tuesday.
The directive came even as the minutes of a meeting of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) on February 28 surfaced in the public domain on March 12, which seems to have adopted a discordant stance against the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) resolution on February 23 "not to participate in any Central and State election."
Thereafter on March 5, the ENPO declared “Public Emergency” within its jurisdiction in protest against the delay of the Government of India to settle the offer for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
As per the meeting minutes, being part of the democratically elected government and as citizens of India, the ENLU resolved to participate in the election process. A consultative meeting with tribal organisations apparently was scheduled immediately following the Assembly Session.
The ENLU also expressed dissatisfaction with the recent amendment to the ENPO Constitution, citing violations of constitutional rules.
“Unless the amendment is revoked, ENLU refuses to accept the constitution and be part of it, calling for a review in accordance with established procedures,” it added.
The ENLU further reiterated its steadfast stance against accepting the highlights of the Ministry of State (MoS) Draft, transmitted through the State Government, regarding FNT.
Emphasising that the ENPO's demands stem from long-standing socio-economic disparities, the ENLU underscored the necessity of prioritising sustainable development and socio-economic growth in the region.
New Exemptions
Meanwhile, ENPO on Tuesday exempted certain activities from the purview of the ‘Public Emergency’. These included public movement; all educational institutions; Power Department, Medical Emergencies, Fire & Emergency Services, PHED (Domestic lines); Banking, Postal Services, and Telecommunications; and Business establishments, including private construction.
