A tripartite agreement was signed on January 31 between the Union Government, the Government of Nagaland, and representatives of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), an apex body representing eight recognised Naga tribes from six eastern districts of Nagaland, to facilitate the development of Eastern Nagaland
The ceremony took place in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The pact leads to the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), which will govern the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator. It entails the devolution of powers over 46 subjects to the FNTA.
The agreement also mandates the creation of a mini-secretariat for the FNTA, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary. Furthermore, the development budget for Eastern Nagaland will be shared proportionally based on population and area. The provisions of Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution remain unaffected by this agreement.
This arrangement aims to promote the overall development of Eastern Nagaland through financial autonomy, enhanced decision-making, accelerated infrastructure projects, economic empowerment, and optimal resource utilisation.
The Home Minister affirmed, “The agreement reflects our government’s commitment to resolving all contentious issues and fulfilling the genuine aspirations of the people. Both the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland will jointly take forward the development of Eastern Nagaland.”
Shah recalled his statement to ENPO representatives in 2021-22, when he said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to resolving every dispute and urged them to maintain faith in the democratic process, assuring they would receive just and respectful treatment. He expressed joy that after prolonged efforts by Ministry of Home Affairs officials acting as a bridge between ENPO and Nagaland’s government, the dispute was finally resolved.
The Home Minister noted, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a North East that is free from insurgency, violence, disputes, and is developed. Eleven years ago, several armed groups and disputes in the North East were pushing the region towards fragmentation and disturbing its peace. At the same time, many interstate disputes were disrupting the states’ peace. The government led by Prime Minister Modi is committed to finding solutions to every dispute.”
Since 2019, the Modi government has signed 12 significant agreements in the North East, Shah said, emphasising that unlike previous governments which merely signed agreements, the current administration implements them fully.
The Home Minister acknowledged the strategic importance of the ENPO region and said that since Nagaland’s inception, its citizens have felt they were denied justice. He cited a conversation with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who had pledged to listen openly to ENPO’s demands, discuss, and accept them. Shah expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, his cabinet, and Nagaland’s Members of Parliament for their magnanimity in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion.
