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’.
