Kohima: In a key decision, the Nagaland cabinet approved the proposal to create a Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) on Wednesday. This authority will cover six Eastern districts of the state, as requested by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO).
With the establishment of the FNTA, special powers will be granted to the districts of Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang. After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Cabinet Minister C. L. John announced that the state government would respond to proposals from the Centre regarding the ENPO's demands.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the state government for comments on the ENPO's request ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. John stated that the six districts would remain part of Nagaland while also benefiting from Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which provides special rights to the northeastern state.
The ENPO has recently urged the state government to submit its comments on the draft for the separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ to the Central government by October 31. The Centre previously requested the Nagaland government, led by Chief Minister Rio, to provide feedback on a draft 'Memorandum of Settlement' (MoS) proposed for signing with the ENPO.
A spokesperson for the ENPO noted that they had submitted a letter to the Chief Minister on August 23, followed by a reminder on September 14, requesting the state’s comments as expected by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
In December last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah handed over the “Highlight of the draft MoS with ENPO on FNT” to the Nagaland government for immediate feedback. The ENPO has been advocating for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' since 2010, which would include the six districts inhabited by seven less-developed tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
Residents of these districts have previously boycotted local elections in support of their demands. The ENPO also called for a boycott of the Assembly elections in February last year, although this was later retracted following an assurance from Amit Shah.
Nagaland, which has 60 Assembly seats, saw 20 of them affected by these developments in the Eastern districts. Last year, the state celebrated its 60th statehood day with the popular Hornbill Festival, during which residents from the six districts chose to boycott the festivities. Chief Minister Rio has mentioned plans for an autonomous body to promote development in Eastern Nagaland.
Agency
Published: 31 Oct 2024, 11:04 am IST
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