Silent protest: Nagaland's call for self-governance

Nagaland recently witnessed its Lok Sabha elections, yet six districts remained eerily quiet as residents refrained from voting, echoing a demand for a separate state.

Districts' silent stand

Six districts in Nagaland, totaling over 4 lakh voters, decided not to cast their ballots in solidarity with the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which called for a boycott as a form of protest. Despite election officials being stationed in 738 polling stations across these districts, no voter turnout was recorded until 1 pm.

The ENPO has been advocating for a separate state named Frontier Nagaland since 2010. They argue that the neglected regions of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamatore, and Noklak require independent governance. With 20 seats in the Nagaland Assembly, the ENPO's influence spans across these six districts, representing the concerns of seven tribal bodies.

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Public emergency declaration

In a bold move, the ENPO declared a "public emergency" in these districts, prohibiting any political party from campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls. Frustrated by the delay in government response to their demand for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory, the ENPO took this stance to amplify their plea for recognition and autonomy.

Despite the silence in these districts during the polls, the underlying message of discontent and aspiration for self-governance reverberates throughout Nagaland's political landscape.

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