Will the Nagaland Cabinet Address the Frontier Nagaland Territory Tomorrow?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cabinet Meeting: Nagaland cabinet to discuss Frontier Nagaland Territory issues.
- ENPO Advocacy: ENPO has campaigned for a separate state since 2010.
- Tripartite Meeting: Recent discussions in New Delhi aimed at resolving key issues.
- Political Impact: ENPO's protests have influenced election participation.
- Government's Response: Urged to expedite resolution of remaining concerns.
Kohima, July 29 (NationPress) The Nagaland cabinet convened on Wednesday to discuss the Centre's proposal aimed at addressing outstanding issues concerning the demand for the establishment of Frontier Nagaland Territory, as stated by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton on Tuesday.
Since 2010, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) has been advocating for a distinct 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' or a separate state that includes six eastern districts of Nagaland: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, which are home to seven marginalized tribes.
The decision to deliberate on the Frontier Nagaland Territory was made following the third tripartite meeting on July 23 in New Delhi, which saw participation from officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Nagaland government, and ENPO leaders.
Patton, who oversees the Home and Border Affairs departments, indicated that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would preside over the cabinet meeting to address this crucial matter.
“We will also engage with ENPO leaders on Wednesday concerning this issue,” Patton, a prominent BJP leader, informed the media during an official event.
An official revealed that several controversial issues were reportedly settled during the New Delhi meeting, though some concerns from the Nagaland government remain unresolved. The Union government has urged the state to expedite the resolution of these pending issues.
For the past 15 years, the ENPO has conducted various protests demanding the formation of a separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' that encompasses six eastern districts, home to seven underprivileged tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
The state government previously submitted its feedback on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) concerning the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority to the MHA in November of last year.
Numerous discussions have occurred both in New Delhi and Nagaland, leading to significant progress, and the government remains optimistic that any lingering concerns of the ENPO will be resolved, a government official noted.
Notably, the ENPO has boycotted several important elections, including the 2023 Assembly polls, to emphasize their demands.