Kohima: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has categorically stated that a separate state of ‘Frontier Nagaland’ as demanded by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) is ‘not viable’.
Mr Chidambaram advised the Nagaland Government to develop the areas in eastern part of Nagaland for which the Planning Commission would be more than ‘happy’ to offer special package.
According to official sources on Tuesday, a team of Nagaland legislators led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had met the Union Home Minister on Monday in Delhi to discuss the ENPO’s memorandum for a separate state.
The 15-member delegation included Cabinet members, Parliamentary Secretaries and opposition legislators from ENPO areas as well as ENPO leaders.
Sources said Mr Chidambaram had categorically stated in the meeting that the demand of the ENPO for a separate state was ‘not viable’ and asked for the state government’s views on the issue. He also sought proposals from the state government for the uplift of the people and infrastructure development of the four districts under ENPO. Mr Chidambaram was said to have told the Nagaland delegation that the Centre is ready to provide all necessary assistance to resolve the matter and also provide for the required infrastructure development of the ENPO areas.
Sources further said Mr Rio, on behalf of the Nagaland Government, once again reiterated its proposal to grant Autonomous Council status to the ENPO area and also to fasten the pace of infrastructure development. The ENPO had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister in 2010 with its demand while asserting that only a separate state for the six tribes inhabiting the frontier areas would bring about socio-economic development in the border region.
It had again reiterated its demand during the visit of Union Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh to Mon on May 28. (UNI)
