Massive protests in Eastern Nagaland demanding creation of Frontier Naga Territory

Protestors demanded that the government sign the final settlement soon.

Massive protests erupted in all the 7 districts under Eastern Nagaland as the demand for creation of a Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) gained momentum.

Led by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), people in large numbers took to the streets against the alleged delay by the government in fulfilling the demand.

Protests were held in all the District and ADC headquarters within Eastern Nagaland.

Today’s agitation is a fallout of the ENPO’s joint consultative meeting with the tribal bodies and frontal organizations held at Tuensang on February 5 where it was decided to hold a mass protest against the alleged failure of the Centre’s assurance to handover the final draft of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) for Frontier Naga Territory to ENPO.

Protestors were seen carrying placards with slongans like “We want a signing date for FNT”, “We want Frontier Nagaland Territory.”, “We demand immediate signing date”, “We want immediate final draft” written.

Documents available with Northeast Live revealed that the Government of India (in June, 223) has proposed the constitution of an autonomous territory or council covering the 6 Eastern Districts in Nagaland.

The Nagaland government had convened a consultative meeting on June 30th in Kohima to discuss the Centre’s proposal for maximum autonomy in the districts under Eastern Nagaland.

But why the ‘delay’?

Highly placed sources who are absolutely well informed about the course of events, have informed Northeast Live that the ENPO is demanding several things. Among the demands, 2 core issues that they are demanding are- i) an Upper House to be created in the Eastern Nagaland area ii) governance in the proposed territory be routed through the Governor.

To simplify things the ENPO wants to have a direct dealing with the Governor as far as all official matters are concerned and not the elected Chief Minister of the state. And if an Upper House is created this means that there will be a separate legislature of sorts.

Highly placed sources who are absolutely well informed about the course of events, they have told Northeast Live that the ENPO is demanding several things.

Among the demands they are demanding an Upper House to be created in the Eastern Nagaland area where there can be a separate legislature of sorts. This is something that the Government of India is considering, they are in a fix as to whether or not to give the Upper House.

According to sources, these are the main points as to why talks have not progressed despite several round of talks between the concerned stakeholders.

Watch also: Why the deadlock between ENPO and Govt? Wasbir Hussain has the inside story

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