Support independent journalism! Join us: bit.ly/3Rz1uCH
Even as Nagaland goes to poll on Friday, six districts wear a deserted look as the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) stood firm in its decision to abstain from participating in the Lok Sabha election in protest against the delay of its demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
On the eve of the poll, the ENPO had declared an indefinite total shutdown across its jurisdiction encompassing the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator.
As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the voting percentage for the Nagaland Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituency stood at 42.34% as of 2PM.
Speaking to reporters at Tuophema village, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressed confidence that the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Dr Chumben Murry will win the polls by a thumping majority.
On the ENPO’s poll abstention, Rio commented, “It is the civil societies, what they think, what they do is their mind, but Government of Nagaland is having a thorough discussion to there should be peaceful polling all over Nagaland, including Eastern Nagaland”.
He stated that reports indicated a peaceful situation in both voting and non-voting areas.
The ENPO had urged the 20 elected members of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) to “honour” the decision of the Eastern Nagaland public. In this regard, Rio said that an order was given by the ENPO in a “very strict manner” mentioning the ENLU members to avoid any confrontation.
Asked if the poll abstention will affect the ongoing FNT negotiations, Rio said, “Their activities, whatever they are doing, they know best. But, as for the Government of India and also as the state, we will take appropriate action".
He then highlighted the show-cause notice issued by the Election Commission to the ENPO raising concerns over potential electoral interference in preventing citizens from voting as it is the right of all eligible voters to participate in the election process.
As for the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the ENPO and the Centre, Rio said that a copy was handed to him by MHA in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah.
While considering the draft satisfactory, Rio emphasised the need for deliberations on power-sharing between the elected members from the Eastern Nagaland area and the proposed FNT.
Rio reiterated the state government's recommendation for the formation of an autonomous council as it desires for the ENPO areas to “get sufficient economic packages to come at par with the rest of the state”.
Although the ENPO blamed the state government for the delay in implementing the FNT demand, Rio said that the 20 MLAs from the Eastern region and the ENPO failed to sit across a table to study and discuss the power-sharing system if an autonomous body is created.
Once the election process gets over, Rio assured a threadbare discussion on the matter.
#EastMojo #EastStory #northeastindia #northeast #nagaland #kohima #loksabhaelection2024 #loksabhaelection
*****
Subscribe: / @eastmojoofficial
*****
Visit our website: www.eastmojo.com/
Facebook: / eastmojo
Twitter: / eastmojo
Instagram: / east.mojo
*****