Nagaland Congress calls for reconsideration of separate state demand

KOHIMA: The Congress in Kohima on Thursday called upon the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation to reconsider their demand for a separate frontier state, though it described its grievances about lack of development in four border districts, to make up the new state, as 'legitimate'.

NPCC president SI Jamir said that at a time when all Nagas have expressed willingness to reconcile with one another and unite for a solution to the Naga political conflict, the demand for a new state is uncalled for.

The ENPO, representing six Naga tribes, last month met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in support of their demand for creation of " Frontier Nagaland" comprising four border districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng, asserting that successive governments in Kohima had neglected the region.

The ENPO formally submitted a memorandum to the Prime minister in this regard recently. It is also organizing public rallies in all the four district headquarters on January 7 in support of their demand for a separate frontier state.

The Pradesh Congress said lack of development in the districts for the last 50 years of statehood cannot be resolved with any short-term strategy, and observed all attempts must be made to resolve the issues amicably across the table.