Nagaland: “In seven districts and 15 police stations of Nagaland, the AFSPA has been lifted, and I believe that in the coming three to four years, Nagaland will be completely free from AFSPA,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said.
Addressing a joint rally of NDPP and BJP at Tuensang, a major administrative and political hub in Eastern Nagaland, the Home Minister said on February 21 that there is no confusion on an alliance between BJP and NDPP. He clarified that the BJP is not supporting candidates from other parties against its partner NDPP.
“There is no truth in that,” he asserted, on ‘confusion’ and speculation over BJP pushing up candidates from LJP (Ram Vilas) and RPI (A).
Also addressing the rally, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said Shah’s visit to the Eastern Nagaland region was a ‘sign of love’ for the region’s people.
He further stated that the Naga issue will be solved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
“The ENPO areas will improve and see enhanced development once candidates from BJP and NDPP are elected, and it would bring development “hand in hand with your support,” Neiphiu Rio said.
Deputy Chief Minister and BJP floor leader Yanthungo Patton in his speech, noted it is for the first time in India’s history that a Union Home Minister is visiting the Eastern Nagaland region.
Amit Shah made a two-day visit to Eastern Nagaland, keeping his words given to a delegation of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation in December 2022 in Delhi.
ENPO has been demanding the carving out of a new state Frontier Nagaland. Last month the ENPO leaders have been assured by AK Mishra panel that an Autonomous Territory would be given to the region.
The Home Minister expressed happiness that the ENPO withdrew from its earlier resolution to boycott this year’s assembly elections on February 27 and said an agreement would be signed after the assembly polls.
“I have spoken with the ENPO leaders and we have reach with an agreement. But due to election we are unable to give a concrete shape to it,” he said.
“I am leaving this word to you, after the election, the proposals put forward by the ENPO will be discussed in the Home Ministry and a deal will be made, which will bring a new wave of development in Eastern Nagaland”.
He also noted that there were violence and disturbances in the ENPO region prior to 2014, but there has been a considerable shift under the Modi Government, and now there is “peace and development” in Nagaland.
Amit Shah spent a night at Mon, the hub of the Konyak tribe, on February 20.
BJP president J P Nadda will visit Nagaland on February 22 and 23. On February 23, Nadda is expected to visit Viswema village in Southern Angami II, where BJP candidate Kropol Vitsu is locked in a triangular contest against NCP and JD-U nominees.
Nagaland goes for polling on February 27 along with Meghalaya.
