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Context:

The Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which represents seven Naga tribes, has agreed in principle to executive, legislative, and financial autonomy for the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).

What is the demand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO)?

The demand for a separate state for Eastern Nagaland began over a decade ago, in 2010. The Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO) submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office, they specifically quoted the development gap in the region as the core issue and called for a separate state with special status and provisions to address it.

The main factor driving the demand is the ongoing "development deficit" in Eastern Nagaland. The six eastern districts — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang — which make up more than 30% of Nagaland's population, have been facing long-standing challenges in terms of infrastructure, employment, and basic services.

The people of Eastern Nagaland believe that their distinct needs have been ignored by the government in Kohima, and they feel that a separate state would allow for better governance and resource allocation.

The Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO) has been leading the push for a separate state, mentioning this lack of development as the primary reason for their demand.

What are the key issues discussed in the recent meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)?

A recent meeting was held with a three-member team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the ENPO. During the meeting, the MHA team agreed in principle to grant the FNT autonomy, including executive, legislative, and financial powers.

The Centre agreed to consider the establishment of a regiment of a Central armed force to address unemployment issues in the region and the strengthening and modernization of the Village Guards.

The meeting ended positively, with both sides agreeing on some key points. However, there were a few unresolved issues that were not disclosed. The MHA’s agreement in principle to the demand for autonomy was a significant step forward.

What role do the Village Guards play in Nagaland?

The Village Guards were established in 1957 to protect Nagaland’s border villages, especially those near Myanmar, from anti-social elements and raiders. They play a crucial role in maintaining security in these vulnerable areas.

The demand to strengthen and modernize the Village Guards is important to improve local security and tackle some of the region’s challenges, including unemployment and instability.

Way Forward

While some key issues were discussed and agreed upon in principle, the exact details of the autonomy and other demands are still to be finalized. The ENPO and MHA teams are expected to meet again to address the remaining issues and come to a final agreement. The discussions are ongoing, and the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory is still a work in progress.

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Source: 

The Hindu