Progress in Talks for a Separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' Claims Naga Group

Kohima, Dec 17 (NationPress) The officials of Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) have reiterated their demand for a distinct ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT)’ which encompasses six districts meant for seven underprivileged tribes. On Tuesday, they conveyed that the tripartite discussions involving the Centre and the state government have reached an advanced stage.

ENPO’s General Secretary, M. Honang Konyak, expressed optimism that the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will honor its commitment regarding the proposed establishment of the FNT for the betterment of the eastern Nagaland populace.

During a tripartite meeting conducted in New Delhi on December 13, the ENPO delegation firmly articulated their demand for a separate state of 'Frontier Nagaland'.

In Konyak's words, the ENPO has taken into account the current challenges faced by the Centre and has agreed to a temporary acceptance of the government’s proposal for FNT, which would grant unique executive, legislative, and financial autonomy.

The December 13 meeting marked substantial advancements and arrangements were made for the subsequent round of tripartite discussions in the second week of January 2025 to address outstanding issues.

Since 2010, the ENPO has been advocating for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ comprising six districts in eastern Nagaland: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, home to seven backward tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.

Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in light of the ENPO's demands, mentioned that a draft Memorandum of Settlement was submitted on November 6 to the Ministry of Home Affairs, focusing on collective economic progress and the start of a new collaborative era.

In October, the Nagaland cabinet approved the proposal to establish a Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA), covering the six eastern districts as requested by the ENPO.

Should the proposed FNTA be realized, it will grant special powers to the six districts of eastern Nagaland.

Prior to the Lok Sabha elections, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested the state government’s feedback and proposals concerning the ENPO's demands.

Residents of the six eastern districts refrained from participating in the civic body elections on June 26 and the Lok Sabha elections on April 19 following the ENPO's call for a vote boycott in support of their demands.

The ENPO and its affiliates had earlier urged a boycott of the Assembly elections in February last year, but later withdrew this call after receiving assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Nagaland comprises 60 Assembly seats, with 20 allocated to these six districts.