Despite Demand For Nagaland Frontier State, ENPO areas vote for NPF in big way
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, March 03 2013 :
The demand for the creation of 'Frontier Nagaland' State by carving out four eastern districts of Nagaland State became very vocal during the regime of the Naga People's Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government alleging step-motherly treatment by the Nagaland Government.
However, the people of the four districts of Nagaland voted for the NPF in a big way, ensuring its victory in majority of the Assembly Constituencies in the proposed Frontier Nagaland and herein lies a different story.
Out of the 20 Assembly seats in the eastern Nagaland that comprise of four districts including Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire, the people have voted to victory NPF candidates in 13 constituencies of the 19 seats where elections were held.
Tuensang Sadar constituency will go to the poll on March 23 which could not go to the poll due to the death of one of the candidates days before the poll.
Under the aegis of Eastern Naga People's Organisation (ENPO), an apex frontal body of the four districts, the demand for the creation of Frontier Nagaland climaxed last year.
The ENPO's theme of demand was purely for development alleging that the Nagaland Government was meting out a step-motherly treatment to the four districts.
The ENPO pointed out that roads were in deplorable condition in the ENPO area; Government establishments including school infrastructures were at the worst state of affairs.
Armed with all these points, ENPO leaders had camped in New Delhi on several occasions.
They had apprised the Central leaders that they were determined to part ways with the present Nagaland state.
To soothe frayed nerves, the Nagaland Government had offered a fat economic package, which the ENPO refused.
In the midst of this picture, election to the Nagaland Assembly elections was held and the people have voted NPF to victory in 13 of the 19 seats.
Some Naga intellectuals opined that Neiphiu Rio and his NPF's vigourous and promising stand of Naga cause could be the reason for the NPF's thumping performance in the ENPO or the proposed Frontier Nagaland area.