KOHIMA, May 12: The Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) has raised significant concerns over the security situation in the Northeast region following a controversial statement by Major General (Rtd.) ALM Fazlur Rahman of Bangladesh. Rahman reportedly suggested that the Northeast could face occupation if India were to attack Pakistan. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ENPO expressed alarm over the escalating tensions, attributing the current security challenges to the long-standing unresolved issues and divisive policies of the Indian government.

The ENPO called for a redefinition of policies by the Government of India (GoI), emphasizing the importance of the nation’s core principle, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ It urged the government to reinforce the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity as outlined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution, warning that without such an approach, the Northeast could be vulnerable to external threats.

The organization also raised concerns about the increasing number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the region, which it views as a potential security risk. The ENPO warned of the possibility of both external invasion and internal instability due to this growing issue. It stressed the need for a unified approach among all ethnic groups in Northeast India to develop strategies that would protect their ancestral lands and territories.

The ENPO lauded Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his leadership in addressing the internal security concerns of Assam, describing his efforts as dynamic and bold. It called for similar strategies to be implemented across all Northeast states to protect regional security. However, the ENPO also criticized the Assam government for previously harboring illegal immigrants for political reasons, accusing it of prioritizing vote bank politics over national security.

Furthermore, the ENPO commended the governor and chief minister of Nagaland for their state-wide call for vigilance, reaffirming their commitment to the national security and unity of India. The organization stressed the need for both the central and state governments to effectively neutralize any forms of terror and atrocities affecting Indian citizens.

Referencing the tragic Oting incident, where 14 innocent civilians were killed by security forces, the ENPO reiterated the importance of robust intelligence gathering and strategic operational planning to prevent such tragic events in the future. It urged the Indian government to ensure that such negligence does not recur in the Northeast, underscoring the need for a comprehensive security approach that respects the region’s unique dynamics and challenges.