Kohima, Sep 3: The Nagaland Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed the historic FNTA Bill, 2026, which seeks to improve governance and development in six eastern districts.
Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) would help fulfil the long-standing aspirations of the people.
Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton moved the legislation, which provides for the constitution of the FNTA covering six districts — Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator — with the objective of decentralising governance, strengthening local participation and accelerating development.
The Bill was passed by voice vote following an extensive discussion, with members across parties stressing that the six eastern districts would remain an integral part of the state.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) began demanding a separate state for the region in 2010, citing development gaps affecting the seven tribes — Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir and Yimkhiung — as well as portions of the Sumi community in the region.
In his remarks, Rio said the legislation was the outcome of sustained consultations following the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on February 5, 2026, between the Centre, Nagaland government and the ENPO.
He said the state government had remained committed to addressing development gaps in Eastern Nagaland, which, despite its human and natural resources, had lagged behind other parts of the state due to historical and geographical factors.
Rio recalled that the earlier FNTA Bill introduced in March was deferred after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought clarity on provisions relating to legislative powers, while the ENPO and Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) sought further consideration of the MoA.
Following consultations, the state Cabinet on July 6 decided to proceed with revised legislation, including provisions for legislative powers over transferred subjects, in consultation with and with the approval of the MHA and in conformity with the Constitution. The Cabinet also resolved that safeguards under Article 371A would remain “inviolable”.
Describing the FNTA as a “unique self-governing territorial authority” within Nagaland, Rio said it would enable the people of Eastern Nagaland to pursue their social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic aspirations.
He said the authority would have planning and financial mechanisms to prepare annual plans based on grassroots needs. The state government would allocate funds based on population and geographical size, while the Centre would provide Special Development Grants, he said.
Rio also disclosed that the state had requested the Centre to increase the special development package under the MoA from the proposed Rs 5,000 crore to at least Rs 10,000 crore, citing the region’s development requirements.
During the discussion, Minister Bashanmongba Chang described the legislation as a new chapter for Eastern Nagaland and said its aspirations were fundamentally about “peace, dignity, opportunity, prosperity and development”.
He also highlighted the region’s strategic location, saying improved infrastructure could make it a gateway for border trade and greater economic engagement with Southeast Asia under the Act East policy.
Eastern Nagaland legislators A. Nyamnyei Konyak, P. Longon, A. Pongshi Phom, Sethongkyu and S. Keoshu Yimchunger welcomed the legislation and thanked the House and the people of Nagaland for their support.
They emphasised that the FNTA was not a move towards separation but an institutional arrangement within the state for greater administrative empowerment and equitable development.
BJP Minister Temjen Imna Along called the passage historic and recalled Rio’s efforts over the past decade and a half to address the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland.
He thanked Rio, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged the people of the region to use the new opportunity responsibly for development and unity.
LJP MLA Dr Sukhato A. Sema said the FNTA should serve as an instrument of inclusive and balanced development, with greater attention to roads, healthcare, education, drinking water, power, connectivity and livelihoods.
“Development should not be concentrated, but it should be shared,” he said, stressing that Eastern Nagaland’s progress would contribute to the prosperity of the entire state.
Speaking on behalf of the NPF, MLA Achumbemo Kikon said Eastern Nagas should not be labelled “backward”, attributing development gaps largely to geographical isolation and inadequate connectivity.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the larger Naga integration aspiration and said the FNTA should not affect the ongoing Naga political dialogue.
Kikon urged the people of Eastern Nagaland to make the best use of what he called a “second opportunity”, stressing the need for judicious implementation of development programmes.
JD(U) MLA Jwenga Seb and legislators Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome and Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe also spoke in support of the Bill. (PTI)
