Eastern Nagaland observes bandh for ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’
Dimapur: As part of its first phase of agitation after declaring a ‘public emergency’ in eastern Nagaland, the seven tribes under the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) observed dawn-to-dusk bandh within their jurisdiction from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday for the creation of ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’.
The bandh enforced in six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak was reportedly total. While volunteers were seen enforcing the bandh in the districts, there was no report of any untoward incident during the bandh period at the time of filing this report.
The ENPO at a consultative meeting with its federating units in Dimapur on March 5 declared a ‘public emergency’ against the delay by the government of India to settle the offer for the creation of “Frontier Nagaland Territory” comprising six eastern districts of Nagaland.
The ENPO on Friday said the closing down of all government offices, both central and state, and restriction on movement of all government vehicles will continue during the ongoing public emergency in eastern Nagaland region. However, it said, restriction on public movement, private vehicles and closing down of business establishments has been relaxed till further notice.
“All private vehicles found plying on government duty other than transporting essential commodities shall be seized,” the ENPO said.
It warned that any government office found functioning in official or private residences would be dealt with seriously.
Before the last Nagaland assembly elections in 2023, the Union home ministry reportedly assured to settle the “Frontier Nagaland Territory” demand issue before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following the assurance, the ENPO which called for a boycott of the state assembly polls withdrew its call.
At the consultative meeting on March 5, the ENPO decided to strictly implement its February 23, 2024, “Chenmoho resolution” not to participate in any central and state election against the delay in settling the offer for creation of “Frontier Nagaland Territory” by the Centre through the ministry of home affairs.
It was also decided that the people of eastern Nagaland shall not accede to any assurance by the ministry of Home Affairs to be implemented after the upcoming parliamentary election process.
The ENPO said there should be no election campaign by any political party within eastern Nagaland during the ‘public emergency’ period.