The body seeking statehood in Nagaland has accepted the Centre’s proposal for a “unique arrangement with executive, legislative and fiscal autonomy” for the Frontier Nagaland Region (FNT).
The FNT is an alternative to the statehood that the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) had demanded more than a decade ago for the Naga tribes of six ‘backward’ districts in the eastern part of the state.
ENPO said the decision to accept the proposal was taken after a meeting with representatives of the central and state governments in New Delhi on December 13. Home Secretary Govin Mohan led the central team.
A similar tripartite meeting was held in Guwahati on August 13.
“During the tripartite meeting, the ENPO delegation made its stand clear that the demand of the people of Eastern Nagaland is for a separate state ‘Frontier Nagaland’. However, keeping in mind the difficulties faced by the Government of India at the present time, ENPO has decided to temporarily accept the proposal of FNT, which has a unique arrangement with executive, legislative and financial autonomy,’ the organization said in a statement.
Due to the ‘significant progress’ in the talks, the stakeholders have decided to hold another tripartite meeting to discuss some unresolved issues within the second week of January.
“With the ongoing negotiations on the FNT at an advanced stage, ENPO is hopeful that the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not fail to fulfill the proposed resolution of the FNT in the interest of the people of Eastern Nagaland.” The statement said.
ENPO was confident that Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio would honor their statement before the 2023 assembly elections that ENPO issues would be “materialized” with the full support of the Nagaland government and the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party. Combine the power vested in the state.
ENPO appreciated the state government’s comments on the Center’s demand for highlights of the draft FNT, paving the way for the December 13 meeting. It lauded the Home Ministry’s committee for its “utmost sincerity and commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland without further delay”.
ENPO is the apex organization of tribes living in Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang districts. It showed seriousness about self-governance by boycotting Nagaland’s 60th State Day celebrations and Lok Sabha elections in 2023 and civic polls in 2024 as its demands “could not be met”.
published – December 18, 2024 at 03:24 pm IST