The influential Naga body Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) on Saturday withdrew its call to boycott the February 27 Assembly polls.
The boycott call was withdrawn after the ENPO received an assurance from the Central government regarding its demand for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' state.
ENPO secretary W. Manwang Konyak told IANS that the organisation has withdrawn the boycott call after getting an assurance from the Central government that its separate 'Frontier Nagaland' state demand would be considered.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his happiness over the ENPO's decision to withdraw the boycott call.
He tweeted: "I am grateful for their positive gesture reaffirming ENPO's commitment to democratic processes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made untiring efforts to assure the people of northeast that the government is with them and the ENPO's move is an approval of these endeavours."
"It is heartening that in an expression of trust in the Modi government, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) in Nagaland has withdrawn its call to boycott the assembly elections. The decision will help in keeping the ongoing process of peace & development unhindered," Shah said in a separate tweet.
In January, the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU), comprising Ministers, MLAs and Advisors to various departments, announced that it has decided to participate in the elections.
Immediately, after the announcement of the schedule of assembly polls in three northeastern states by the Election Commission, the influential Konyak Union also had rejected the state government's appeal, and reiterated to boycott the February 27 elections until the Central government grants the demand for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland' state.
Claiming that the six districts -- Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator -- have been neglected for years, the ENPO has been demanding a separate state since 2010.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government, led by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and including the BJP, had on a number of occasions asked the ENPO to reconsider their demand for a separate state and not to boycott the Assembly elections.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.
Israel strikes Lebanon-Syria border crossings, accuses Hezbollah of weapons smuggling
The Israeli military said on Saturday it conducted airstrikes targeting border crossings between Syria and Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of using the routes to smuggle weapons into Lebanon.