Eastern Nagaland tribal bodies asked not to be involved in electioneering process

Dimapur: Even as the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union appealed to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) to suspend the ongoing ‘public emergency’ for the greater interest of the Frontier Nagaland Territory, the control room of the ‘eastern Nagaland public emergency’ on Friday directed all tribal bodies in eastern Nagaland not to take part in any electioneering activities such as appointment of polling agents of different political parties, any election-related training etc.

A notification issued by the eastern Nagaland public emergency also asked the tribal bodies not to participate in any government inauguration function till the proposed eastern Nagaland public meeting slated for March 28.

The notification said the directive has been issued given the public emergency all over eastern Nagaland and its subsequent public resolution not to participate in any central and state election and refrain from casting a vote against non-fulfillment of the government of India’s offer for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory before the declaration of the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

On March 5, the ENPO, along with the tribal bodies of eastern Nagaland, declared a public emergency in eastern Nagaland against the delay by the Centre to settle the offer for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory, comprising districts of eastern Nagaland Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Shamator and Noklak.

Meanwhile, the volunteers of tribal bodies, as per the directive of the ENPO, put up black flags atop houses and offices in all six districts of eastern Nagaland on Thursday as a sign of resentment against the delay.

Though offices, business establishments and schools are open, the ENPO said the public emergency would continue and that the black flags would continue to be hoisted across eastern Nagaland.