Centre, Nagaland Government and ENPO Sign Agreement For Creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority
The Wire Staff
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New Delhi: A tripartite agreement was reached among the Union government, Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Thursday (February 5) for the creation of a Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) in six districts for eight recognised tribes of eastern Nagaland, The Times of India reported.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah. As part of the arrangement, the report stated, there will be devolution of powers relating to 46 subjects to FNTA, covering the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. These districts are home to seven Naga tribes: Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang, Sangtam, Tikhir, Phom and Yimkhiung.
The FNTA has been created to address the long-standing grievances of ENPO over lack of equitable development in eastern Nagaland districts. The proposal was made by the Union government in 2023 to resolve their demand to form a separate state – Frontier Nagaland – which has been ongoing since 2010.
Speaking about the agreement, Shah said it was “a momentous day for the people of Nagaland”. Describing it as a step to “further the realisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a violence-free and developed northeast”, he claimed that when he met ENPO leaders in 2021-22, he “convinced them against boycotting elections” by underlining that the Union government was “committed to resolving every dispute”.
“The tripartite agreement signed with the ENPO will constitute Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority and empower it with financial autonomy and improved decision-making for holistic development of Eastern Nagaland. It removes the obstacles to speedier progress of the region,” he wrote in a post on X.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement, further said the agreement provides for sharing of development outlay for the eastern Nagaland region in proportion to population and area.
“Under this arrangement, powers related to 46 subjects will be transferred to the FNTA,” it stated.
“The Government of India will assist in the development of Eastern Nagaland and also will shoulder its responsibility. A fixed amount will be allocated every year, and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will also bear the initial establishment expenditure,” it added.
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