Nagaland: The elected executive body of state as well as union government representatives of Nagaland will covene a meeting on formation of an autonomous council for the six eastern districts of Nagaland. The meeting will include Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers Y Patton and T R Zeliang, Speaker of the House Sharingain Longkumer, and all cabinet ministers from state administration. Apart form state executive all MPs from Nagaland, chief secretary and senior state officials would also be present.
The proposal for creation of a autonomous body was put forward by the Central government and the scheduled convention is purposed for the same.
Major stakeholders to take part
The demand for creation of separate state called Frontier Nagaland has gained recent momentum from 2020 onwards. The six districts of East Nagaland is composed of multiple tribal groups who have sought autonomy from a long time. The six districts are home to Khiamniungan, Phom, Chang, Konyak, Sangtam, Yimkhiung and Tikhir tribes. They form 30 % of state’s population and elect 20 representatives in 60 seat assembly.
A notice was issued by state home department for consultative meeting on “the provisions of the proposed proposal of the Government of India for constitution of an Autonomous Council for the six eastern districts of the state, namely, Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak”.
Aside from MLAs of representatives of tribal organisations such as Naga Garo Tribal Organization,.Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Ao Senden, Chakhesang Public Organization,Angami Public Organization, and Tenyimii People’s Organization.
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The demand for autonomy
The aspiration for state bifurcation has been lead by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and its President Tsapikiu Sangtam. In 2010 ENPO put forward a memorandum in Prime Ministers Office(PMO) for creation of separate state called ‘Frontier Nagaland.’ In recent years ENPO has held several meeting with Union Home Ministrya and President Sangtam even shared the stage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Rio during their joint NDPP-BJP campaign earlier this year.
The demand for separtate state was central to Assembly Elections conducted this year with ENPO abstaining from polls in light of demand for separate statehood to Eastern Nagaland.
The meetings between Union Government and ENPO has discussed possibility of a ‘Frontier Naga Territory’ under the State regime with separate legislature, executive and financial powers. However ENPO has not been invited to June 30 meeting. We are surprised that the state government has not invited the ENPO to be a part of this consultative meeting when the negotiations have been happening so far between the ENPO and the Union government,” said a member of the organisation.
The demand for separate state is based on ‘development disparity’ in the Eastern districts.
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