Nagaland CM hopes ‘good sense will prevail’ among people who seek new state

Seven tribes have been demanding a separate state ‘Frontier Nagaland’ since 2010

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday expressed hope that ‘good sense’ will prevail among the seven tribes of the state that have decided not to participate in the February 27 assembly polls to press for their demand for a separate state.

Several organisations of the seven tribes have also issued separate diktats asking their community members to resign from the posts they are holding in political parties.

These organisations also warned that if any of their members file nominations for the election, they will have to face the consequences.

“I have nothing to say about their decision. But in a democracy, elected representatives are required to form a government. I hope good sense will prevail,” said Rio, also the head of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), the apex body of these seven tribes, has been demanding a separate state – Frontier Nagaland – comprising the districts of Mon, Noklak, Kiphire, Longleng, Shamator and Tuensang since 2010.

Asked about the hue and cry over the 40:20 seat-sharing formula for the pre-poll alliance between NDPP and BJP for the coming election, Rio said his party would not budge from the present arrangement.

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