Northeast Desk, 14th April: In the midst of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) reiterating its decision to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections until its demand for a separate state carved out of Nagaland is met, all 20 legislators from the eastern part of the state have appealed to the people to participate in the polls.
The Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) issued a statement on Tuesday evening, expressing their awareness of the resentment over the unfulfilled Frontier Nagaland Territory demand. However, they emphasized that abstaining from the Lok Sabha polls could hinder the progress of ongoing talks.
With the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state scheduled for polls on April 19, the ENLU urged pragmatism and insightfulness, citing the disclosure of the current status of the Frontier Nagaland Territory through a working paper. They underscored the importance of exercising both rights and duties as citizens to move forward with good intentions.
Meanwhile, the ENPO vowed to “protect” citizens of the region from any repercussions for abiding by the decision of voluntary abstention from voting. The ENPO, representing seven tribal organizations, has been advocating for a separate state since 2010, citing neglect in all aspects for years in the six districts of the eastern part of Nagaland.
As the political landscape in Nagaland remains divided over the issue, the appeal from the ENLU for participation in the Lok Sabha polls reflects a nuanced approach aimed at balancing the region’s aspirations with the imperative of democratic engagement.
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