The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed the revised and amended Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio saying the special institutional arrangement would help address the longstanding developmental deficit in Eastern Nagaland without compromising the State’s unity or constitutional safeguards.

Giving the concluding remark during the discussion, Rio said the State Government’s approach had been guided by the principle of equity and inclusive development, noting that the six eastern districts had historically faced developmental disadvantages due to geographical challenges, historical factors and limited State resources.

He said the demand for a special institutional arrangement had come from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), following which the State Government engaged with ENPO and the Government of India to work out a constitutional and peaceful solution.

Rio traced the legislative process to the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on February 5, 2026 between the Government of India, Government of Nagaland and ENPO. Clause 3.3 of the MoA provides for constitution of the FNTA through special State legislation in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

He said the first draft Bill, vetted by the Advocate General, was submitted to MHA on March 17 and introduced in the Assembly on March 26 after ENPO sought its passage during the eighth Assembly session. However, MHA sought the State Government’s views to be kept open pending its own views on the conferment of legislative powers.

While ENPO maintained that the provisions of the MoA should be upheld, the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) sought deferment until concerns and provisions were clarified. The Bill was consequently returned and its consideration deferred.

Rio said the State Government thereafter revisited the MoA provisions and consulted stakeholders, while making it clear that the safeguards under Article 371(A) should not be amended.

He said ENPO renewed its request for expeditious constitution of the FNTA through a letter on June 10. A Cabinet delegation led by him met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 24 to discuss the constitutional and legal aspects of the proposed authority and requested MHA to consult ENPO.

The State Cabinet subsequently decided on July 6 to convene a special Assembly session for legislation on the FNTA, including legislative powers over transferred subjects and departments, in consultation with MHA and in consonance with the Constitution.

The Cabinet, Rio said, also reaffirmed that the safeguards under Article 371(A) were inviolable and would not be diluted or altered. It further decided to seek enhancement of the proposed special development grant from Rs 5,000 crore to a minimum of Rs 10,000 crore.

The revised Bill, prepared on the advice of the Advocate General, was submitted to MHA on July 16. Rio said MHA subsequently examined it in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and ENPO and communicated its suggestions on August 11 concerning the preamble, wider consultation on officer postings and enhanced powers of the FNTA relating to transfers and postings.

Following an August 25 meeting with ENPO chaired by Rio, the Cabinet considered the matter and incorporated the suggested changes. The revised Bill was then submitted to MHA under Clause 3.3 of the MoA and introduced in the Assembly on September 1.

The FNTA will cover Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator. Rio said the authority was envisaged as a unique self-governing institutional arrangement to address the social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland through democratic decentralisation within Nagaland.

He said State funding would be based on population and geographical size, while Central funding would take into account the region’s underdevelopment and infrastructure deficit. The FNTA would prepare annual plans based on grassroots needs, supported by appropriate planning and financial mechanisms, while the State would ensure timely release of funds.

Rio described the authority as more than an administrative arrangement, saying it represented a commitment to equitable development and to taking governance and development closer to the remotest areas.

During the discussion, Minister Bashangmongba Chang described the Bill as a historic moment for Eastern Nagaland and said the process had demonstrated the importance of patience, dialogue and a peaceful constitutional approach. He said development of the region would contribute to Bharat 2047 and highlighted its potential as a gateway under the Act East policy towards trade and commerce with Southeast Asia.

Advisor S Keoshu Yimchunger said the demand was not against fellow Nagas but for basic development needs including roads, schools, hospitals and employment. He said the FNTA was not a separate State but a special institutional arrangement within Nagaland, and recalled the sacrifices of Eastern people in Naga history. He also welcomed the 10-year review provision.

Advisor A. Pongshi Phom described the FNTA as a cherished dream and hoped it would alleviate hardship, reduce inequalities and usher in peace and progress.

Advisor Sethrongkyu said the aspiration had been pursued for nearly one-and-a-half decades and stressed that the arrangement was not intended as separation from Nagaland but as an integral framework for mutual respect, peace and progress.

Minister Temjen Imna Along termed the legislation historic for the 14th Assembly and urged continued unity, cooperation and pursuit of larger goals.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

MLA Dr. Sukhato A. Sema said the FNTA offered an opportunity for equitable resource distribution and balanced regional development, with priority required for roads, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, power, connectivity, livelihoods, markets and employment opportunities for young people.

MLA A. Nyamnyei Konyak highlighted the evolution of the FNTA demand and thanked the State Government and Rio for taking the concerns of Eastern Nagaland forward. He described the legislation as a new beginning and called for unity and sound policy planning.

Advisor P. Longon acknowledged the contributions of the Union and State governments, ENPO, ENLU, ENSF, ENWU, churches, civil society and other stakeholders in making the arrangement possible.

Advisor Achumbemo Kikon reflected on the historical description of Eastern Nagas as a “backward tribe” and said developmental gaps could not be attributed entirely to one side. He maintained that the State Government had never intended to neglect or sideline Eastern Nagaland and said the FNTA process would not affect the ongoing Naga political talks or the aspiration for integration of Naga-inhabited areas. He urged unity and described the arrangement as a “second opportunity” for development.

Advisor Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome spoke on the historical context of development and the terminology associated with backwardness, saying the FNTA could help move beyond such labels. He stressed the importance of economic, human and natural resources as measures of development and referred to the 46 subjects proposed for transfer.

Advisor Z. Nyusietho Nythe said the FNTA was intended to uplift the six eastern districts, which had faced disadvantages because of their distance from the State capital and limited administrative reach. He expressed confidence that State and Central resources would be utilised judiciously.

MLA Ar Jwenga Seb said he had initially feared that the FNTA could dilute the momentum of the Naga political issue and deepen divisions within Naga society. After studying the Bill, however, he said his view had changed and that he regarded it as a means of strengthening social cohesion through equitable development.

Seb said the Bill did not partition Nagaland and that the six eastern districts would remain an integral part of the State. He said the proposed decentralised framework, including the 62-member regional council and transfer of 46 executive subjects, would enable greater local participation in development and help direct resources towards schools, healthcare, infrastructure and employment.

The House thereafter passed the revised and amended Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill, 2026 unanimously, bringing the legislative process to a major milestone following months of consultations between the State Government, Government of India, ENPO and other stakeholders.