The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation ( ENPO ), an apex body of seven tribal organisations, called for an indefinite shutdown to press for its demand for a separate state.
The shutdown, which began on April 18. The ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘ Frontier Naga Territory’ state, carved out of the six eastern Nagaland district, since 2010, claiming that these districts have been neglected for years.
The shutdown in eastern Nagaland has resulted in a significant impact on the daily lives of the people in the region. The closure of shops, offices, and educational institutions has resulted in a disruption of regular activities, and the minimal movement of vehicles has made transportation challenging. The ENPO’s call for a boycott of the elections has also affected the political process, with political parties unable to undertake campaigns in the region.
The shutdown has significantly impacted the voting process in the region. In the six eastern districts of Nagaland, not a single vote was cast in 20 out of 60 assembly segments, even five hours after the polling began for the first phase of the election. The Eastern Nagaland region comprises 4,00,632 voters, accounting for over 30% of Nagaland’s population and 20 of 60 seats in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The overall voter turnout in Ngaland was reported to be 56% but specific details regarding the voter turnout in these six district were not provided.
The Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, has stated that the state government has already recommended to the Centre for the formation of an autonomous region for the people belonging to the eastern region of the state. The Union Home Ministry had formed a three-member committee to talk with all concerned, including the ENPO leaders, regarding the demand for a separate state. The Centre’s response to the ENPO’s demand remains to be seen, and the future of the region political status remains uncertain.
The ENPO’s decision to boycott the election has also raised concern about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. The Election Commission of India ( ECI ) had show-caused the ENPO for interfering or attempting to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right. However, the ENPO stated that the shutdown was a voluntary initiative by the people and aimed at maintaining law and order in the region. The ECI’s response to the ENPO’s boycott and the impact on the electoral process remains to be seen.
The shutdown in eastern Nagaland has also highlighted the region’s long-standing demand for autonomy and development. The ENPO’s demand for a separate state is based on the region’s unique cultural, linguistic, and historical identity, and the organisation’s claim that the region has been neglected for years. The region’s demand for autonomy and development is not unique to Nagaland and is a common issue faced by many indigenous communities in India.
The shutdown in eastern Nagaland has also raised questions about the role of civil society organisation in the electoral process. The ENPO’s decision to boycott the elections and call for a shutdown is a reflection of the organisation’s power and influence in the region. The ENPO’s ability to mobilise the people and disrupt the electoral process highlights the importance of engaging with civil society organisations and understanding their demands and concerns.
In conclusion, the shutdown in eastern Nagaland has significantly affected the electoral process and daily lives of the people in the region. The ENPO’s demand for a separate state and the region’s long-standing demand for autonomy and development are complex issues that require careful consideration and engagement. The Centre’s response to the ENPO’s demand and the ECI’s response to the boycott will be crucial in shaping the region’s political future. The shutdown has also highlighted the importance of engaging with civil society organisation and understanding their demands and concerns. The region’s demand for autonomy and development is a common issue faced by many indigenous communities in India, and the resolution of the issue has implications beyond Nagaland.
