In a major development concerning the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), the Nagaland Government on Monday announced that it would convene a Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to enact legislation for the constitution of the FNTA.

The proposed legislation would include provisions for conferring legislative powers on the authority in respect of transferred subjects and departments under the FNTA, subject to consultation with and approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, and in consonance with the Constitution.

The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the State Cabinet held on July 6 with members of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) and senior government officials. The Cabinet also resolved to request the Government of India to enhance the proposed Rs 5,000 crore economic package for Eastern Nagaland to at least Rs 10,000 crore, while appealing to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to reconsider its proposed public rally and shutdown scheduled for July 10.

The Home Department, in a detailed statement tracing the developments surrounding the FNTA, reiterated that the State Government remains fully committed to implementing the provisions of the MoA within the framework of the Constitution and ensuring that the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland are fulfilled.

The statement recalled that on February 5, 2026, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority.

Following the signing of the agreement, the Department of Law and Justice was entrusted with the responsibility of drafting a Bill to establish the FNTA in accordance with Clause 3.3 of the MoA, which provides for the constitution of the authority under a special legislation to be enacted by the State Government in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to the government, the draft Bill was placed before the State Cabinet on February 26, 2026, for examination and approval. During deliberations, it was observed that several provisions of the MoA envisaged conferring legislative powers upon the proposed FNTA.

Considering the constitutional implications involved, the opinion of the Advocate General of Nagaland was sought.

The Advocate General reportedly opined that under the existing constitutional framework, legislative powers cannot be conferred upon the FNTA through a State legislation. The legal opinion held that the State Legislature does not possess the legislative competence to delegate powers equivalent to its own or transfer legislative authority to another body or authority.

In view of the legal opinion, the State Government decided to formally bring the constitutional concerns to the notice of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Home Department stated that on March 6, 2026, the Government communicated its concerns to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the issue of legislative powers under Clause 3.3 of the MoA. A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the ENPO for its information.

Subsequently, on March 10, the Ministry of Home Affairs responded by requesting the State Government to proceed with action under Clause 3.3 of the MoA by preparing the draft proposal for the constitution of the FNTA through a special legislation and forwarding it to the Ministry.

Acting on this direction, the draft FNTA Bill, vetted by the Advocate General, was forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 17, 2026.

The government further revealed that representatives of the ENPO met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on March 24 and submitted a representation requesting that the FNTA Bill be passed before the ENPO’s Central Executive Committee meeting scheduled for March 30.

The ENPO pointed out that already 49 days had elapsed since the signing of the MoA and urged the Government not to delay the process any further.

Taking note of the representation, the State Cabinet met on March 25, deliberated further on the draft legislation already forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs, approved the Bill with additional modifications considered necessary and decided to introduce it during the ongoing Budget Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Accordingly, the FNTA Bill was introduced in the Assembly on March 26, 2026.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

However, later on the same day, the State Government received communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that the constitutional issue concerning the conferment of legislative powers upon the FNTA through a State legislation was still under examination.

The Ministry informed the State Government that legal opinion on the issue was being sought and requested that further action regarding the Bill be deferred until its views and legal opinion were communicated.

The Home Department also disclosed that on March 26, ENPO submitted another appeal requesting that the provisions of the MoA be fully upheld while passing the FNTA Bill.

On the same day, the Member Secretary of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) also wrote to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs requesting that passage of the Bill be deferred until all concerns had been addressed and clarity regarding the MoA had been achieved.

In view of the request from the Government of India, the appeal submitted by ENPO, and the request made by ENLU, the State Government decided on March 27 to seek deferment of consideration and passage of the FNTA Bill.

The government said the decision was taken to ensure that the provisions of the MoA are addressed in a legally sound and constitutionally tenable manner.

Subsequently, the Bill introduced in the Assembly was returned to the Government by the Assembly Secretariat.

The Home Department added that the response of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the constitutional issues raised by the State Government is still awaited.

State Government committed to early constitution of FNTA

The statement acknowledged that the ENPO has repeatedly expressed concern over the delay in constituting the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority.

The Government maintained that it has consistently pursued every possible step towards implementation of the MoA and remains committed to establishing the FNTA at the earliest within the constitutional framework.

Recognising the seriousness and importance of the matter, the State Cabinet convened an emergency meeting on July 6 with members of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union and senior government officials. The issue was deliberated extensively and in detail during the meeting.

Following the deliberations, the Cabinet resolved to convene a Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly exclusively for enacting legislation for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority.

The proposed legislation, according to the Government, will contain the necessary legislative provisions to confer legislative powers upon the FNTA with respect to transferred subjects and departments covering the districts under the authority.

The Government clarified that these provisions would be incorporated only after consultation with and approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs and strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The Government emphatically reiterated that Article 371(A) of the Constitution remains “sacred and sacrosanct.”

It categorically assured that the constitutional protections and safeguards guaranteed under Article 371(A) would neither be diluted nor altered in any manner whatsoever during the process of establishing the FNTA.

Rs 10,000 crore package sought

The Cabinet also observed that Nagaland can achieve inclusive and sustainable development only when Eastern Nagaland develops alongside the rest of the State.

While acknowledging the Government of India’s assurance of a Rs 5,000 crore economic package under the MoA, the State Government resolved to request the Centre to enhance the proposed allocation to at least Rs 10,000 crore.

According to the Government, the enhanced package would significantly accelerate infrastructure development, economic growth, welfare initiatives and overall progress across the six districts of Eastern Nagaland.

The State Government reiterated its commitment to fully supporting the legitimate aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland and pledged to continue working towards their development, progress and welfare

Cabinet delegation to meet Centre

The Home Department further announced that the Cabinet’s decisions would now 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 proceed to New Delhi to seek the advice, approval and guidance of the Government of India on the proposed legislation and other matters relating to the constitution of the FNTA.

In view of the various measures initiated by the State Government, including the decision to convene a Special Assembly Session and pursue the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government appealed to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to reconsider its proposed public rally and shutdown scheduled for July 10 across the eastern districts.