Tuensang, January 14 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has appealed to the Nagaland State Government to “indefinitely postpone” the upcoming ULB polls in the “larger interest” of the Nagas till a “consensus decision of the Naga civil societies of Nagaland is arrived at.”
At an emergency consultative meeting of the six federating units of the ENPO and its frontal units held today at the CKS Hall in Tuensang, the house deliberated on issues related to the ULB polls and the resolutions made by the ENPO on the matter. Referring to five previous resolutions made on the matter, the house reiterated that “accepting Central Act of Parliament at its present status/form infringes our vibrant and old-age traditions and customary practices” and that the State Government has “failed” to satisfactorily clarify on points sought by the ENPO.
Thus, the house resolved to oppose the ULB elections ‘in principle’ within the ENPO jurisdiction, asked its six federating units to abstain from participating in the polls and directed all intending candidates to withdraw their nomination papers on or before January 17. The ENPO felt that the elections in the current form have “serious legal implications upon the spirit of Article 371-A.”
Any individual under ENPO jurisdiction participating in the ULB elections shall do so “at their own risk and responsibility,” stated the press note from ENPO President S Khoiwang Konyak and ENPO Secretary MC Ongbou Chang.
Further, the ENPO resolved to “fervently appeal” to the Eastern Naga Women’s Organisation (ENWO) to “immediately withdraw” from the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation (JACWR) “in the larger interest of ENPO public.”
