GIVE US SPACE TO GROW AS FREE PEOPLE (DISTRICT ROUNDUPS: Expressing total solidarity and support with the demand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation(ENPO) for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’, thousands of Konyaks, Changs, Sangtams, Phoms, Yimchungers and Khiamniungans from across the four districts-Mon, Tuensang,Longleng and Kiphire (including Seyochung)-held rallies on September 20 to send a message, that the resolution at the May 25,2007 at Tuensang for a separate state, was irrevocable.
In all the rallies, speakers expressed appreciation to the DAN government’s recommendation to the Centre for granting an ‘autonomous council’ to ENPO areas comprising of the four districts but reiterated that there would be no compromise on the issue of a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’.
MON: Several thousand people holding placards, some that read ‘Frontier Nagaland-Nothing More,Nothing Less’ and ‘No More Oppression and Suppression’ etc gathered at the local ground where vice president ENPO Chingmak Chang spoke.
He said the gap between eastern Nagas and the rest had widened even though eastern Nagaland areas were given special provision for ten(10)years after Nagaland became a state through merger of Naga Hills Tuensang Area with Naga Hills District.
Chingmak reasserted that ENPO demand for separate state was unanimously resolved on May 25,2007 at Tuensang and memorandum to the effect submitted to the state Governor on December 6,2010.The ENPO vice president also maintained that demand for a separate state was not against any political party nor groups nor individuals but a “democratic and fundamental demand for all round justice, progress and peace for Eastern Nagas.”
President of the Konyak Union (KU) Khoiwang Wangsha in his speech, warned that the KU will not cooperate with anyone- be it politician, bureaucrat or NGOs-if they opposed or attempt to take advantage of the demand for a separate state.
He spoke of the disparity in employment where out of a population of 1,20,000 only 2300 Konyaks were employed in the government service. He also expressed resentment that despite Eastern Nagaland areas lagging behind in many fields such as education, many teachers along with posts were transferred out of Eastern Nagaland to other districts. He also resented poor transport and communication which compelled people of ENPO region, to be solely dependent upon Assam. After the rally, a memorandum was submitted to DC Mon on the ENPO demand.
TUENSANG: Addressing a mammoth gathering at the local parade ground here,ENPO president Mangko Phom described the demand for statehood (‘Frontier Nagaland’) as “ a people’s demand” so as to provide opportunity to the future generation for a better and prosperous life.
He also reaffirmed ENPO’s resolve to strive forward with determination till the demand was achieved. ENPO general secretary Toshi Wungtung read out the vote of affirmation. He urged Eastern Nagas to unite and cooperate even as ENPO was pursuing the goal of statehood. He also said demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’ was not against any political party or organization but as manifestation of the people’s desire for development.
LONGLENG: In Longleng, vice president ENPO Sashi Naga asserted that the second ENPO rally throughout Eastern Nagaland was a rejection of the recommendation for autonomous district and reaffirmation for a separate statehood. He asserted there would be no compromise with the demand for a separate state (‘Frontier Nagaland’). He said the demand was based on historical and fundamental rights of the people of the four districts. He said the four districts-Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire–were under Naga Hills Tuensang Area under NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh).
After the meeting, the rally marched to DC’s office where a memorandum was submitted to the ADC Longleng in presence of public.
Earlier president of Phom People’s Council welcomed all delegates and prominent public leaders of the district including ENSF office bearers.
(KIPHIRE): Except offices under essential services and maintenance act, business establishment were all shut down at Kiphire to join the second phase of the mass public rally of Eastern Naga People Organisation (ENPO) on demand of Frontier Nagaland at the police point Kiphire town on 20th September 2011.
In all the rallies, speakers expressed appreciation to the DAN government’s recommendation to the Centre for granting an ‘autonomous council’ to ENPO areas comprising of the four districts but reiterated that there would be no compromise on the issue of a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland state’.
MON: Several thousand people holding placards, some that read ‘Frontier Nagaland-Nothing More,Nothing Less’ and ‘No More Oppression and Suppression’ etc gathered at the local ground where vice president ENPO Chingmak Chang spoke.
He said the gap between eastern Nagas and the rest had widened even though eastern Nagaland areas were given special provision for ten(10)years after Nagaland became a state through merger of Naga Hills Tuensang Area with Naga Hills District.
Chingmak reasserted that ENPO demand for separate state was unanimously resolved on May 25,2007 at Tuensang and memorandum to the effect submitted to the state Governor on December 6,2010.The ENPO vice president also maintained that demand for a separate state was not against any political party nor groups nor individuals but a “democratic and fundamental demand for all round justice, progress and peace for Eastern Nagas.”
President of the Konyak Union (KU) Khoiwang Wangsha in his speech, warned that the KU will not cooperate with anyone- be it politician, bureaucrat or NGOs-if they opposed or attempt to take advantage of the demand for a separate state.
He spoke of the disparity in employment where out of a population of 1,20,000 only 2300 Konyaks were employed in the government service. He also expressed resentment that despite Eastern Nagaland areas lagging behind in many fields such as education, many teachers along with posts were transferred out of Eastern Nagaland to other districts. He also resented poor transport and communication which compelled people of ENPO region, to be solely dependent upon Assam. After the rally, a memorandum was submitted to DC Mon on the ENPO demand.
TUENSANG: Addressing a mammoth gathering at the local parade ground here,ENPO president Mangko Phom described the demand for statehood (‘Frontier Nagaland’) as “ a people’s demand” so as to provide opportunity to the future generation for a better and prosperous life.
He also reaffirmed ENPO’s resolve to strive forward with determination till the demand was achieved. ENPO general secretary Toshi Wungtung read out the vote of affirmation. He urged Eastern Nagas to unite and cooperate even as ENPO was pursuing the goal of statehood. He also said demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’ was not against any political party or organization but as manifestation of the people’s desire for development.
LONGLENG: In Longleng, vice president ENPO Sashi Naga asserted that the second ENPO rally throughout Eastern Nagaland was a rejection of the recommendation for autonomous district and reaffirmation for a separate statehood. He asserted there would be no compromise with the demand for a separate state (‘Frontier Nagaland’). He said the demand was based on historical and fundamental rights of the people of the four districts. He said the four districts-Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire–were under Naga Hills Tuensang Area under NEFA (now Arunachal Pradesh).
After the meeting, the rally marched to DC’s office where a memorandum was submitted to the ADC Longleng in presence of public.
Earlier president of Phom People’s Council welcomed all delegates and prominent public leaders of the district including ENSF office bearers.
(KIPHIRE): Except offices under essential services and maintenance act, business establishment were all shut down at Kiphire to join the second phase of the mass public rally of Eastern Naga People Organisation (ENPO) on demand of Frontier Nagaland at the police point Kiphire town on 20th September 2011.
Addressing more than 4000 crowd, Joint Secretary ENPO Manlep Konyak said, we are gathering here today not against state government or group or faction or organisation but we are here to search for what is ours, our birth right and also added, state government has also acknowledged our problem and has recommended for autonomous, however, that will not solve the problem what we want is full-fledged state he added.
He also said, “State government recommended for autonomous council for the Eastern Naga is against the wishes of the Eastern people as it is far below the status of the Tuensang Regional Council and we ENPO firmly denounce and outrageously rejected it.”
Touching on history of the Eastern Nagas the Joint Secretary said, neither Burma nor India nor British ruled us we were free people what we want today is asking a room for us to grow as free people so that we develop ourselves’.
Quoting the scripture he also said, ‘if a son ask bread will his father give him a stone, and if he ask a fish will he give him a snake and expressed hope that the State and central government will extend help for ENPO cause so that the long cherished dream of the ENPO will be achieved.
Vice President ENSF Likhumse who also addressed the gathering said, ‘the demand for separate statehood is based on constitutional and historical right of the Eastern Nagas and added, the people of eastern Nagas were deprived, suppressed and denied for the last 50 years socially, economically, developmentally and educationally so the culmination of all this made the people of the Eastern Nagas to demand for separate statehood.
Citing example of employment status of the Eastern Nagas in the state the vice president said, only 5% of the ENPO people from 6 tribes are employed which is far below the employment of single tribe.
He also asked the gathering not to be carried away by the views and opinion that is being poured in from various angles to sabotage the public movement for separate statehood but to stand firm and united’.
Thsesong President Yimchunger Tribal Council, President AST, Hd Gb Kiphire and others who spoke on the rally echoed the same voice to demand for separate statehood and affirm fullest co-operation.
The gathering latter marched to the deputy commissioner’s office and hand over the public representation opposing Autonomous council by the state government.
SEYOCHUNG: At Seyochung SDO headquarters,the second EPNO rally was attended by over 1000 people at the public ground.Seyochung Area Students Union(SASU) president Horiba Sangtam apprised the gathering on ENPO demand whiles speeches were also delivered by various public leaders including office bearers of SASU.
He also said, “State government recommended for autonomous council for the Eastern Naga is against the wishes of the Eastern people as it is far below the status of the Tuensang Regional Council and we ENPO firmly denounce and outrageously rejected it.”
Touching on history of the Eastern Nagas the Joint Secretary said, neither Burma nor India nor British ruled us we were free people what we want today is asking a room for us to grow as free people so that we develop ourselves’.
Quoting the scripture he also said, ‘if a son ask bread will his father give him a stone, and if he ask a fish will he give him a snake and expressed hope that the State and central government will extend help for ENPO cause so that the long cherished dream of the ENPO will be achieved.
Vice President ENSF Likhumse who also addressed the gathering said, ‘the demand for separate statehood is based on constitutional and historical right of the Eastern Nagas and added, the people of eastern Nagas were deprived, suppressed and denied for the last 50 years socially, economically, developmentally and educationally so the culmination of all this made the people of the Eastern Nagas to demand for separate statehood.
Citing example of employment status of the Eastern Nagas in the state the vice president said, only 5% of the ENPO people from 6 tribes are employed which is far below the employment of single tribe.
He also asked the gathering not to be carried away by the views and opinion that is being poured in from various angles to sabotage the public movement for separate statehood but to stand firm and united’.
Thsesong President Yimchunger Tribal Council, President AST, Hd Gb Kiphire and others who spoke on the rally echoed the same voice to demand for separate statehood and affirm fullest co-operation.
The gathering latter marched to the deputy commissioner’s office and hand over the public representation opposing Autonomous council by the state government.
SEYOCHUNG: At Seyochung SDO headquarters,the second EPNO rally was attended by over 1000 people at the public ground.Seyochung Area Students Union(SASU) president Horiba Sangtam apprised the gathering on ENPO demand whiles speeches were also delivered by various public leaders including office bearers of SASU.