GoI-ENPO on the creation of new state "Frontier Nagaland"

According to ENPO sources, the assurance was made to the four-member delegation of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) by the Government of India (GoI) on August 13, 2019 meeting in New Delhi after the Centre extended a formal invitation to ENPO on the issue of demand for a separate state (Frontier Nagaland) that it would hold a “political level talks” with them to look into their demand. 

It is also informed that formal meeting between Home ministry officials and ENPO delegation was “very fruitful”. And the “political level talks” is likely to hold after the August 15, 2019 Independence Day celebration.

The Centre responded by inviting ENPO representatives for talks in New Delhi on August 13 after ENPO  threatened to impose non-participation in the August 15 Independence day celebrations in all the four districts in view of the failure of the government of India to accede to the demand on or before August 10,2019.

It may be recalled that ENPO submitted its first memorandum, addressed to the Prime Minister in 2010 through the Union Home minister, demanding creation of ‘Frontier Nagaland’. 

In response to strong demands for statehood by ENPO, the state cabinet on July 23, 2011 decided to recommend to the government of India for creation of an autonomous council under the sixth schedule of the constitution of India for areas under Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire districts. 

However, ENPO which is spearheading the statehood demand rejected the offer. ENPO, the apex body of the Konyak, Chang, Sangtam, Khiamniungan, Yimchunger and Phom tribes, has been discussing the demand with the Centre since many years. ENPO organised several rallies throughout the four districts in reiteration of its resolution on August 24,2012 for   a separate State- ‘Frontier Nagaland’.

Konyak unions refuse to accept DHM equipments

Hospital Management Committee (HMC), District Hospital Mon  (DHM)along with Konyak Union (KU), Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khung (KNSK) and Konyak Students Union (KSU) Wednesday refused to verify and accept the materials/equipments supplied for the newly upgraded 100 bedded District Hospital Mon on the grounds that the equipments were being supplied too early before the completion of the building.

Pic : Construction underway at District Hospital Mon

During a joint meeting held at the Medical Superintendent’s office, Mon along with two member verification team from the Directorate, Health & Family Welfare, the civil societies pointed out that the installation of expensive equipments like-- Ultra sound, X Ray, Endoscopy and others, in an under construction building would be risky and of no use.

Moreover, adding to their discontentment, they said that the suppliers failed to furnish the name of the company/brand, model and price list of the materials and equipments that were being supplied to DHM. They also said that the suppliers were unwilling to agree to the terms of the civil societies, to install the equipments and issue the warranty only after the completion of the building construction.
The bodies lamented and questioned: “when the government could sign MoUs with other health centres to supply the materials and equipment after the completion of the building construction, why the same could not be applied for DHM”.

The unions also appealed to the concern department “to first verify and look into the needs of the concern hospital before randomly providing/supplying materials so that the needs of the people are met and at the same time save the fund of the government.”

Meanwhile, it was is learnt that the government had supplied only one quantity/item each--  one bed, one bed sheet, one pillow, one cradle and one mosquito net including others for the 100 bedded DHM.

‘We have suffered enough. We need peaceful development’

The Eastern Konyak Union Unit (EKUUM) has condemned the high handedness of Assam Rifles personnel, who have been alleged of preventing road works from Chen Moho to Nyanching via Throilu under the Indian Myanmar Friendship Project Scheme.

A press note from the EEKUM alleged that on April 7, personnel of the 33 AR, 5th Battalion “blocked” construction of a 15 meter stretch of the road and seized goods from members of the public. It further stated that the AR personnel had “forbidden” people from travelling across the road from one village to another.

The EKUUM has appealed to both the Assam Rifles and the Naga political groups for a peaceful atmosphere in the area. “We are not in favour of any group. We need peaceful development only.”

The said road project, construction for which began on 2013-14 is yet to be completed. On the other side of the border, the EKUUM informed that the road from Monyakshu to Nyanching via Chen Hoyat had also been left incomplete without any notification on October 2013, with only a few kilometers completed.

The EKUUM asserted that the road is not only for people in the border areas but is a link to connect Eastern and Western Nagas. It reminded that the significance of the road project had also been stressed on by Nagaland MP and former Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the former R&B Minister as well.

The EKUUM questioned as to “who has been prohibiting the workers or contractors to stop immediately before the road is completed.” It urged the concerned authority to complete the road construction as per the agreement.

The people on the border areas, the EKUUM, lamented have lived in a state of constant struggle. People here, it recalled have not been able to live freely due to continuous turmoil in the area beginning in the 1950s. “We have suffered enough as human beings and we want justice on humanitarian grounds,” appealed the EKUUM.

Children at Yakshu Village

Children at Yakshu Village- a small village located in Mopong Circle of Mon district with total 577 families residing as per Population Census 2011. In Yakshu village population of children with age, 0-6 is 214, which makes up 4.96 % of total population of village.

Yakshu village has lower literacy rate compared to Nagaland. In 2011, literacy rate of Yakshu village was 32.13 % compared to 79.55 % of Nagaland. (Photo by Longsakumba Longkumer)

‘One Student, One Tree’

Mon Forest Division in collaboration with the Nagaland Pollution Control Board, Dimapur conducted an orientation programme in the Divisional Forest Office, Mon.

The teacher representatives of Eco-Club schools have been asked to ensure that one tree is planted by every student in Mon District basing on the theme ‘One Student, One Tree’ for the Eco-Club schools under Mon.

The Range Officer Mon highlighted the teachers of the objective and various activities of the Eco-Clubs in Mon. The Divisional Forest Officer Mon encouraged the teachers to play a pivotal role in developing a bond between students and the nature so that when they grow old, they become a protector and a conservationist by itself. Several other issues have been sensitised on environment and other ecological problems.