The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) reiterated its stance on Friday, rejecting the Nagaland government’s appeal and maintaining its decision to abstain from participating in the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections scheduled for June 26. ENPO Secretary W. Manwang Konyak clarified that despite not receiving any written appeal, they remained steadfast in their resolve after learning through media reports about the government’s request to refrain from boycotting the ULB polls.
“We must adhere to the decision of our grassroots level people and organization. Therefore, we will abstain from participating in the ULB polls,” Konyak affirmed to IANS. Following a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland government urged the ENPO not to boycott the crucial ULB polls. Parliamentary Affairs Minister K.G. Kenye, spokesperson for the state government, emphasized that the ULB elections were vital for empowering local self-governance and facilitating grassroots development. He stressed that these elections should not be viewed as a platform for ENPO’s grievances regarding the Frontier Nagaland Territory.
Despite efforts, including letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and mass rallies, to address their demands for the Frontier Nagaland Territory, the central government remained unresponsive, according to the Naga leader. The ENPO Secretary informed that they had already conveyed to the State Election Commission (SEC) their decision to abstain from voting in the ULB polls across Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung districts, covering three Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils. Konyak reiterated that on March 19, the ENPO had unanimously resolved that the region’s people would refrain from participating in any central and state elections due to the delay in creating the ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ as promised by the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 7, 2023.
