“With the ongoing negotiation on FNT at an advanced stage, the ENPO is optimistic that the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not fail in fulfilling the proposed offer of FNT in the interest of the people of eastern Nagaland,” the statement said.The ENPO was confident that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would honour their statements made last year ahead of the Assembly elections. They asssured that the ENPO issues would be “materialised” with full cooperation from the Nagaland government if the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party combine retained power in the state.The ENPO lauded the state government for giving its comments, as sought by the Centre, on the highlights of FNT draft which paved the way for the December 13 meeting.Further, it expressed appreciation to a committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs for its “utmost sincerity and commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the people of eastern Nagaland without further delay.”The ENPO is the apex tribal organisation of eastern Nagaland which comprises the six districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang. It had launched a “people’s movement” a few years ago demanding statehood. The demand stemmed from the region’s alleged backwardness.When Nagaland celebrated its 60th statehood day with the Hornbill Festival last year, people from eastern Nagaland boycotted the event. They had also boycotted this year’s Lok Sabha and civic polls protesting the non-fulfillment of the demand. Nagaland has 60 Assembly seats and 20 of them are in eastern Nagaland.
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