A Spl panel in December, 'Eastern Nagaland' grievance to be addressed by March 2023
New Delhi
It was a game-changer event. It was clear the Home Ministry was well prepared and had a blueprint ready.
Elections in Nagaland by February-March 2023 now seem unlikely and the issues related to the demand for a separate state for Eastern Nagaland may be addressed by the centre by March end.
He may be known for a Machiavellian style of politics. But on the politico-administrative front, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday played a mature and a virtual master stroke.
Those with a basket full of grievances vis-a-vis Eastern Nagaland were perhaps more than
satisfied at the end of the day and the Team ENPO issued a statement on Tuesday evening
saying their meeting was "very successful".
"Hon’ble Union Home Minister highlighted a clear Road-map for amicable, legislative and sustainable solution for Eastern Nagaland. Which will include consultation with the people of Eastern Nagaland and Nagaland State government. Hon’ble Union Home Minister has also assured to visit Eastern Nagaland personally by January 2023; for which, the ENPO eagerly awaits his visit," the statement said.
Sources said the meeting was also attended by BJP MP (Rajya Sabha) Phangnon Konyak, also a native of Mon district and hailing from Konyak tribe who are also among the chief protagonists demanding a separate statehood.
Among others Home Secretary, Director Intelligence Bureau, Addl. Secretary Home (NE) and A K Mishra, peace emissary in Naga talks also attended.
Mishra's presence also makes it amply clear that the MHA and Home Minister Shah himself understand very well the intricacies of the ongoing peace parleys with the NNPG and the NSCN-IM and how all these are inter-linked.
A delegation of NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi is also expected for crucial rounds of discussions with Mishra
later this week. Mishra reportedly has lately adopted 'more crystal clear' stance vis-a-vis his interaction with
the stakeholders.
The absence of any state government representative on Dec 6 (Tuesday's) meeting despite the hoopla created by
a section of NDPP and ministers when a delegation including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had air-dashed to Delhi
on Dec 3 show a different story. Things are now open for interpretation.
One key ENPO source on December 2 itself steadfastly opposed the presence of any minister or Chief Minister Rio (for Dec 3 meeting) saying no third party presence was required unless 'they do not want to sabotage' things.
Sources say it was indicated that at today's meeting that by December 15, 2022, the Home Ministry will set up a special committee. It will be assigned to visit Eastern Nagaland for on the spot review of the demand and grievances probably in the presence of Nagaland state government representatives.
The panel will visit the region and submit a detailed report to Shah, who is then likely to visit Eastern Nagaland region by the second week of January 2023.
Shah may make a two-day halt in the region and verify things at his personal level.
"The issues related to the grievances of the people of the Tuensang-Mon region will be possibly addressed by 75-80 days once Home Minister Shah makes his visit to Eastern Nagaland," a source told 'Nagaland Page' on the condition of anonymity.
The ENPO statement issued from Delhi said the organisation is grateful to Hon’ble Union Home Minister for his concern and granting ample time to the ENPO team.
"It is to be stated that the Hon’ble Union Home Minister had appreciated the Eastern people for being a part of the nation building thus far, which, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modiji is also aware, he stated. Hon’ble Union Home Minister stated that the grievances and request for separate entity is understood," the statement said.
The seven tribes from the region - Konyaks, Sangtams, Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, Yimchungrus and Tikhirs have stayed away from this year's annual tourism extravaganza of Hornbill Festival being hosted in the state capital.
Some community leaders say the gesture could be interpreted as Eastern Nagaland's lack of trust in the Rio government in which paradoxically BJP and regionalist NPF are still the key constituents.
Surveys in the 1990s had revealed that along the entire eastern belt of Nagaland (encompassing the six districts), runs a rich vein of coal, limestone, nickel, marble and cobalt.
But most of these have remained untapped due to a plethora of reasons.
ends
ENPO leaders laud Amit Shah's proactive steps on demand for 'Frontier Nagaland'
Sources said the Home Minister is likely to visit Eastern Nagaland for a two night halt in January, 2023.
A special panel will also be set up to study the people's grievances in detail.
New Delhi
The apex Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which held a crucial
meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction at the
manner the centre has handled their demand for carving out a separate state out of the
16th state of Indian Union.
"Hon’ble Union Home Minister highlighted a clear Road-map for amicable, legislative and sustainable solution for Eastern Nagaland. Which will include consultation with the people of Eastern Nagaland and Nagaland State government. Hon’ble Union Home Minister has also assured to visit Eastern Nagaland personally by January 2023; for which, the ENPO eagerly awaits his visit," the ENPO statement said.
It was given out as a landmark meeting which was later hailed by Eastern Nagaland-based body as "a very successful" one.
Mr Shah assured the delegation that time-bound steps will be taken to address the grievances of the far-flung region.
"It is to be stated that the Hon’ble Union Home Minister had appreciated the Eastern Nagaland people for being a part of the nation building thus far, which, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modiji is also aware, he stated. Hon’ble Union Home Minister stated that the grievances and request for separate entity is understood," the statement from the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) said.
The seven tribes from the region - Konyaks, Sangtams, Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, Yimchungrus
and Tikhirs have stayed away from this year's annual tourism extravaganza of Hornbill Festival being hosted in
the state capital.
Eastern Nagaland comprises six districts - Tuensang, Mon, Shamatore, Longleng, Noklak and Kiphire.
Shah held the much awaited crucial meeting with ENPO leaders in presence of sitting BJP MP (Rajya Sabha),
S Phangnon Konyak and two former MPs Asungba Sangtam and Wangyuh Konyak.
Among others Home Secretary, Director Intelligence Bureau, Addl. Secretary Home (NE) and A K Mishra, peace emissary
in Naga talks also attended.
Mishra's presence also makes it amply clear that Home Minister Shah understands very well
the intricacies of the ongoing peace parleys with the NNPG and the NSCN-IM and how all these are inter-linked.
A delegation of NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi is also expected for crucial rounds of discussions with Mishra
on December 8.
Mishra reportedly has lately adopted a 'more crystal clear' stance vis-a-vis his interaction with
the stakeholders. The Centre has categorically rejected the demands for a separate Naga flag and Constitution
as articulated by the NSCN-IM.
One key ENPO source on December 2 itself steadfastly opposed the presence of any minister or Chief
Minister Rio (for Dec 3 meeting) saying no third party presence was required unless "they do not want to sabotage things".
Rio's cabinet has ministers from Eastern Nagaland. Now pressure will mount
on 20 elected legislators from the region to quit the NDPP-BJP-NPF ministry.
Surveys in the 1990s had revealed that along the entire eastern belt of Nagaland (encompassing the six districts), runs a rich vein of coal, limestone, nickel, marble, cobalt and magnite.
But most of these have remained untapped due to a plethora of reasons.
The people from the region have grievances of being not treated properly by the mainstream Nagaland.
The charge is, however, denied by the mainstream politicians.
The Tuensang-Mon region had joined Nagaland state since the 1960s when the 16 Point Agreement was inked between Naga public leaders under the banner of Naga People's Convention (NPC) and the Government of India.
No leader from the region could become Chief Minister while Chongshen Chang (from Tuensang district) had become deputy Chief Minister in 1990 under the ministry headed by K L Chishi.
Sources said it was indicated at Tuesday's (Dec 6) meeting that by December 15, 2022, the Home Ministry will set up a special committee. It will be assigned to visit Eastern Nagaland for on the spot review of the demand and grievances
probably in the presence of Nagaland state government representatives.
The general feeling in Eastern Nagaland is that this region has been failed by main-stream Nagaland.
This view is of course countered by mainstream Naga politicians. One viewpoint is a number of MPs from various
parties actually hailed from this region.
The list includes sitting Rajya Sabha MP, S. Phangnon Konyak of BJP. She is also the first woman Rajya Sabha from Nagaland.
Others were former MPs Chingwang Konyak, Asungba Sangtam, Wangyuh Konyak and Late CM Chang.
The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) has been stewarding a demand for Frontier Nagaland
for the last decade or so.
The influential Eastern Nagaland Students Federation (ENSF) had also quit the apex Naga Students Federation
(NSF) a few years back.
ends
No comments:
Post a Comment