Kohima: The Government of India on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) in New Delhi to form the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) within the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present during the signing, said it was “an important day for the people of Nagaland” (ANI video grab)The FNTA, subject to review after 10 years, will provide legislative, executive and fiscal autonomy to the six eastern districts of Nagaland.
ENPO represents the Chang, Khiamnyungan, Konak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, Imkhyung and East Sumi tribes of the six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Naklak and Shamator, who have been demanding a separate state since 2010 due to territorial shortages. In Nagaland’s 60-member Legislative Assembly, 20 members are from Eastern Nagaland.
“Today is a historic day for the people of eastern Nagaland… We have reached this position because both the central and state governments have understood the problems of the people of the eastern region,” ENPO president A. Chingmak Chang said after signing the agreement
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present at the signing, said it was an “important day for the people of Nagaland” and assured the Indian government’s support in shouldering the responsibility of bringing the eastern Nagaland region at par with the rest of the country.
More Read
Calling it a “historic agreement”, Nagaland Chief Minister Niphiu Rio said the agreement is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensure equitable and inclusive development and continued efforts to reach out to all parts of the state. He emphasized that all Naga tribes celebrate with the people of Eastern Nagaland for this “landmark achievement”.
Rio expressed hope that the agreement would demonstrate mutual trust between all departments and address the aspirations of the people – both from Eastern Nagaland and the entire state. While assuring the support and cooperation of the state government, the Chief Minister appealed to the Center for continued support and guidance to the people in the quest for all-round development of Nagaland.
