ENPO lifts indefinite total shutdown in Eastern Nagaland, a day after LS polls get over in Nagaland

The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has lifted the indefinite total shutdown in eastern Nagaland which comprises of 6 districts, with immediate effect today.

In a notice issued today by the Eastern Nagaland Public Emergency, the indefinite total shutdown imposed by the Eastern Nagaland Public Emergency Control Room which came into effect on April 18 was lifted with immediate effect.

This comes after Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio said the government will do it’s bit, when he was asked whether the abstinence of the people from Eastern Nagaland will affect the negotiations over the demand for creation of FNT.

“Their activities whatever they are doing, they know the best. But the Government of India and also as the state we will take appropriate action and you are aware that the Election Commission had issued show cause notice to them and other who are trying to prevent voting. Because it is the right of every citizen to give vote and participating in the election process in the democracy,” CM Rio had said after casting his vote yesterday.

Notably earlier yesterday, ENPO President Tsapikiu Sangtam speaking to Northeast Live, said that the shutdown was a form of abstinence from the Lok Sabha elections, to show their resentment against the non-fulfilment of assurances given by the Centre.

Almost zero voter turnout for the Lok Sabha elections was recorded yesterday in the 6 districts of eastern Nagaland following the indefinite total shutdown.

Worth mentioning, the ENPO had also called for an indefinite total shutdown across the Eastern Nagaland with effect from April 18, 6PM. Thereafter, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland issued a show cause notice to the president of ENPO asking him why action should not be initiated against the organisation under relevant sections of the law.

In response, the ENPO conveyed to the Nagaland CEO that the decision was taken to minimize the possibilities of disturbances in the region and associated risks linked with gathering of anti-social elements. The ENPO further said in it’s reply that the decision to abstain from voting was a voluntary decision taken by the people.