Wokha: Amid the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO)’s demand for a frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, on Friday, disclosed the findings of a fact-finding committee that was constituted to study their demands.
Addressing a poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Wokha, Rio recalled that on November 25, 2010, the ENPO had submitted a memorandum to the state government for a Frontier Nagaland state.
Subsequently, a fact-finding committee was constituted by the then chief secretary, led by senior officers, including the commissioner and secretary to the Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA), and the present chief secretary J Alam as members, among other officers.
During the event attended by leaders of various political parties, Rio revealed the findings of the committee.
As opposed to the claim made by the ENPO that the population of Eastern Nagaland comprised 50%, Rio said that the population stands at 28.88 % out of the total population.
Likewise, he said that the total area of land which was claimed to be 50%, comprised only 33% including the Eastern Sumis.
As for the claim of the 3% rate of government employees, Rio said that the findings revealed 17% of government employees from the Eastern Nagaland areas. In addition to the police personnel, he said that the percentage increased to 21%. However, this data, he said, excludes over 9,000 village guards employed by the state government.
While there were 36 members from Eastern Nagaland in the regional council prior to the statehood, Rio said that at the time of the creation of Nagaland, the region was allocated 20 seats in the NLA.
With 20 legislators representing 28.88% population, he calculated that the ENPO area legislators comprise 33% of seats in the NLA. In this regard, Rio said, “They are enjoying more than they deserve”.
However, Rio also pointed out deficiencies in the region such as the infrastructure, health, and educational sectors.
In terms of infrastructure, he said that the government is supporting the ENPO areas. He said that due to the low literacy rate, the educational needs in the region need to be supported along with institutional support.
As for the healthcare sector, he said that there is a need for more medical facilities which is why a medical college in Mon was also granted.
The per capita income in the ENPO areas, he noted, is lower than the rest of the state. Rio said that farmers should be supported in ways to increase their income.
As for government jobs, he said that out of 37% reservation for backward tribes, 25% is reserved for the ENPO, in addition to the merit list which is open to all.
“That is why they are growing very fast,” he said, further adding that the state government is supporting the region.
Rio also disclosed that the Centre has refused to give a separate statehood, Union Territory, or sixth schedule status. As per the recommendation of the state government, he said that an autonomous council for the region was proposed.
“We are not against ENPO getting autonomous body because we have recommended and we would never go back on our words. However, they started saying they would not stay under the state but remain under the Governor who would make the rules for us, and grant us funds and any report given would go to the President of India through the Governor, who would be the go-between the state and the ENPO Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority” Rio said.
As the ENPO expressed their desire to function under the governor, he said that the state government responded by stating that the issue has nothing to do with the governor.
In the largest democracy, he said that the elected people are supreme. “And to place the state under a permanent president’s rule is unacceptable,” he said.
Further, Rio said that no amendment to Article 371A would be made. If the matter for amendment is taken to the parliament, Rio feared that the special provision could be repealed as the Centre is working on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
While the state government has made repeated appeals to the ENPO to reconsider the boycott of polls, Rio questioned, “If they are going to be angry with the state government and the Centre, then who are they going to negotiate and discuss their grievances with”.
Although the ENPO had written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its decision to abstain from the polls, Rio observed that the ECI could not address their grievances.
Even with the ENPO’s poll abstention, he said that the polling process will carry on. In this regard, he said that the state government does not want any untoward incidents.
With the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Rio said that a meeting with the ENPO may be a violation of the MCC. He suggested that talks can be resumed only when a popular government is voted to power.
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Saying that there is a time for everything, Rio urged a collective effort towards unity and to strive for a solution to the protracted Naga political issue.
He encouraged all Nagas to unite and show the strength of unity by voting for the ‘right person’ who would be best suited to voice out the concerns of the Nagas in the parliament.
Meanwhile, NDPP president and chairman of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), Chingwang Konyak said that the poll abstention by the ENPO would only be a loss for the people from the region, particularly with regard to the forthcoming town council election.
Also Read | ENPO’s abstention will have no impact on polls in Nagaland: Y Patton