Quotes figures from report purportedly compiled by a 2010 Fact Finding Committee
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 6
In what can be termed as the Nagaland state government’s boldest statement yet on the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation boycotting the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated at an election rally that the election process will go ahead whether they vote or not.
Making the statement at a campaign rally in Wokha on April 5 for the PDA candidate, Dr Chumben Murry for the Nagaland Parliamentary seat, Rio held that the ENPO should understand the situation and review their decision to boycott the elections.
With Election Model Code of Conduct in effect, he said, “If we meet them it would be against the MCC. Moreover, if they want to continue the talk with the centre, then a popular government (in Delhi) has to be installed. You cannot dialogue/debate a case with the servant without the home owner.”
According to him, boycotting the elections does not bode well as the process will still go ahead, and that could incite emotions resulting in violence.
He said that the onus should be to the collectively work for the unity of the Nagas and for a solution and sending “the right person to Parliament to speak for our people.”
While the state government has entrusted the Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers Association (ENGOA) to continue parleying with the ENPO, he said that the people of the state, as a collective, should appeal and talk to the ENPO.
Rio’s speech was also peppered with figures through which he sought to vindicate the state government’s position on the ENPO’s long held contention as well as rancour against alleged neglect of the eastern districts.
He traced back to November 2010 when the ENPO first let known its demand for statehood. According to Rio, a fact-finding committee was subsequently set up by the state government headed by the then Chief Secretary with the then Commissioner and Secretary for the Development of Under Developed Areas, J Alam as a member, who is currently the Chief Secretary.
The committee’s report brought to light to certain data, which, according to Rio, contradicted the ENPO’s claim. Contrary to the 50 percent claim, he said that the eastern bloc makes up only 28.8 percent of the state population. Land area is also only 33 percent that also including the eastern Sumis, as opposed to the 50 percent claim. They make up 17 percent of the total government employees as opposed to the 3 percent claim. If the police are included, it goes up to 21 percent. This is excluding the 9000 strong Village Guards.”
Before the “Regional Council” for the undivided Tuensang district was abolished in 1973, he said that it had 36 members. Today, the eastern bloc has 20 members. However, considering their population ratio of 28.8 percent against the state population, they are occupying 33 percent of the seats. “They are enjoying more than they deserve (per the population ratio),” he said.
He though admitted to the eastern district lagging behind in infrastructure, health, economy and education, while laying emphasis on the state taking redress. In line with the state government refocusing effort, a medical college was brought to Mon, he said. The said medical college is however funded by the Central government.
Nagaland has a 37 percent job reservation (in non-technical and non-gazetted posts) policy in the government establishment for the “Backward Tribes.” He said that, out of this, 25 percent is reserved for the ENPO bloc.
While he asserted that the state government will not retract its recommendation for an “autonomous council,” he maintained that the ENPO insisting on the proposed Frontier Naga Territory functioning through the Governor, with the Governor serving “as a go-between” the state government and FNT will be constitutionally unfeasible. In a democracy, “the elected government is supreme,” he maintained.
He further held that amending Article 371 (A) would be tantamount giving away the rights guaranteed by the special Article.
“If you keep on sulking with the GoI as well as with the state government who you would negotiate with?” he posed.
