Ukhrul, Jan 16: The Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) has stated that without financial, executive, and legislative autonomy they cannot sign any document. This was stated after the 2nd Round of Tripartite Talks held at the Police Guest House in Chumoukedima, Dimapur. The meeting lasted over 5 hours and was attended by 13 member representatives of ENPO, AK Mishra led 3 central team members and the state representatives.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, ENPO President A Chingmak Chang stated that the ENPO cannot sign any document without financial, executive, and legislative autonomy, which the Government of India has agreed to in principle. He also revealed that they had discussed several key proposals, though a few key demands remained to be agreed upon. He further stated that they had discussed the demands thoroughly but declined to disclose them.
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Regarding the unemployment problem, the President stated that they had requested the Government of India to provide one central battalion or any central regiment. Another demand put forth is the enhancement of the village guards, which the central government has accepted.
He also stated that the earlier demand of ENPO was separate statehood. The government of India had offered us Frontier Nagaland Territory as a third option, he said. “Let’s hope that the Government of India is serious and the solution will be acceptable to the ENPO people”, he added.
On being asked about the competencies, the ENPO President stated that they could not disclose it to the media but that they had discussed it thoroughly in the meeting. He also hoped to have the next meeting very soon.
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On the direction of the talks, the ENPO President stated that the meeting was positive and the talks were in the right direction.
It may be mentioned that the first round of talks was held on December 13 in New Delhi in which the central government had reportedly offered Frontier Nagaland territory offering executive, legislative, and financial autonomy for six eastern districts of Nagaland. The six districts are Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang. The ENPO representing these districts has sought the creation of a separate state since 2010 citing developmental neglect and historical discrimination by the state government.
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