Kohima, July 6: The Nagaland Government has announced that it will convene a Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to enact legislation for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), marking a significant step towards implementing the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed with the Government of India and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) earlier this year.
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| Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and senior officials during the signing of the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) on February 5, 2026. (File Photo) |
In an official statement issued by the Home Department on Monday, the State Government detailed the sequence of events following the signing of the tripartite MoA on February 5, 2026, and explained the reasons behind the delay in constituting the FNTA.
MoA Signed to Establish FNTA
The Government recalled that the MoA signed between the Centre, the State Government and the ENPO provided for the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority under a special legislation to be enacted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Following the agreement, the Law and Justice Department was directed to prepare a draft Bill incorporating all provisions contained in the MoA.
Constitutional Concerns Over Legislative Powers
The draft legislation was examined by the State Cabinet during its meeting on February 26, 2026.
During deliberations, the Cabinet noted that one of the provisions of the MoA envisaged granting legislative powers to the proposed FNTA.
Since the issue involved constitutional implications, the State Government sought the opinion of the Advocate General of Nagaland.
According to the Advocate General, legislative powers equivalent to those exercised by the State Legislature could not legally be transferred to the FNTA through an ordinary State law.
The legal opinion stated that under the constitutional framework, the State Legislature does not possess the authority to delegate or transfer its legislative powers to another body.
Matter Referred to Ministry of Home Affairs
In view of these constitutional questions, the State Government informed the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 6, 2026, seeking clarification on how the legislative powers envisaged under Clause 3.3 of the MoA could be incorporated into the proposed legislation.
A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the ENPO.
Subsequently, on March 10, the Ministry requested the State Government to continue the legislative process in accordance with the MoA and submit the draft Bill for examination.
Following this direction, the Nagaland Government sent the draft FNTA Bill, vetted by the Advocate General, to the Ministry on March 17.
ENPO Urged Early Passage of Bill
Meanwhile, representatives of the ENPO met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on March 24, urging the Government to ensure that the FNTA Bill was passed before the organisation's Central Executive Committee meeting scheduled for March 30.
In its representation, ENPO noted that 49 days had already passed since the signing of the MoA and appealed against any further delay in implementing the agreement.
Taking note of the request, the State Cabinet met again on March 25, approved the draft Bill with necessary modifications and decided to introduce it during the Eighth Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The Bill was formally introduced in the Assembly on March 26, 2026.
Bill Deferred After Fresh Communication from Centre
However, later on the same day, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed the State Government that the constitutional issue relating to legislative powers for the FNTA was still under examination.
The Ministry said it was seeking legal opinion on the matter and requested the State Government not to proceed with the passage of the Bill until its views were communicated.
On the same day, ENPO also appealed to the Government to ensure that the provisions contained in the original MoA were fully protected while passing the legislation.
In addition, the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) requested that consideration of the Bill be deferred until all constitutional concerns had been resolved.
Taking into account the requests from the Centre, ENPO and ENLU, the State Government decided on March 27 to seek deferment of the Bill in the Assembly.
The Assembly Secretariat subsequently returned the Bill to the Government for further examination.
The State Government said that it is still awaiting the Ministry of Home Affairs' formal response on the constitutional issues.
Emergency Cabinet Meeting Held
The Home Department stated that despite the delay, the Government remains committed to implementing the FNTA at the earliest within the constitutional framework.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, an emergency Cabinet meeting was convened on July 6, attended by members of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union and senior government officials.
Following detailed discussions, the Cabinet resolved to convene a Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly exclusively for enacting legislation establishing the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority.
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The proposed legislation will include provisions to confer legislative powers upon the FNTA concerning transferred subjects and departments for districts falling under the Authority, subject to consultation with and approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and in accordance with the Constitution of India.
Article 371(A) Will Remain Untouched
The Government also sought to allay public concerns by reiterating that the constitutional safeguards available to Nagaland under Article 371(A) remain "sacred and sacrosanct."
It categorically stated that these constitutional protections would neither be diluted nor altered in any manner during the process of establishing the FNTA.
Government Seeks Bigger Development Package
The State Government also emphasised that the development of Eastern Nagaland remains central to Nagaland's overall progress.
It stated that sustainable and inclusive development of the State is possible only when Eastern Nagaland advances alongside the rest of Nagaland.
While acknowledging the Government of India's assurance of a ₹5,000 crore economic package under the MoA for the development of the ENPO areas, the State Cabinet has now urged the Centre to enhance the package to at least ₹10,000 crore.
According to the Government, the increased allocation would significantly accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth, public welfare and overall progress across Eastern Nagaland.
Cabinet Delegation to Meet Centre
The Government further announced that the Cabinet's decisions will be formally communicated to the Government of India.
A Cabinet delegation led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, along with members of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union, will soon travel to New Delhi to seek the Centre's advice, approval and guidance regarding the proposed legislation.
Appeal to ENPO to Withdraw Protest
The Home Department concluded by appealing to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation to reconsider its proposed public rally and shutdown scheduled across Eastern Nagaland districts on July 10, 2026.
The Government said that, in view of the concrete steps now being taken towards constituting the FNTA - including the proposed Special Assembly Session, continued consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Cabinet's renewed commitment to implementing the MoA - it hopes the ENPO will suspend its planned agitation.
The State Government reaffirmed that it remains fully committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland while ensuring that the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority is carried out in a constitutionally sound and legally sustainable manner.
