Nagaland State Cabinet today held a meeting and deliberated on key issues, mainly implementation of Inner Line Permit, ENPO-FNT issue and reservation policy for backward classes.

Briefing media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye said although Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation is a statewide exercise statewide exercise, but due to the influx and looming threats along Nagaland’s western borders, particularly those adjoining Assam, there is increased focus on the western districts—Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.

He noted that the state government, civil society organisations (CSOs), the public, and the administration are all working in close coordination, remaining vigilant and united in their efforts.

“The people and the government are in sync—working hand-in-hand, assisting, complementing, supplementing, and supporting one another in implementing this initiative,” he stated.

“I must say, it has made significant headway. We are very satisfied with the results. On a very short-term basis, the results that we are witnessing is highly appreciative and the inputs from the Home Department, especially to the Cabinet is very impressive. Although there are still areas where progress is needed, the ILP implementation is making huge strides—and it is indeed a success,” he added.

ENPO-FNT Issue: Nearing Final Agreement

On the ENPO-FNT (Frontier Nagaland Territory) issue, Kenye said the government is inching toward a final agreement or settlement. He observed that the issue, once wrapped under so much confidentiality with only a certain high privileged classes having access to what was transpired behind the screen, today the Government is in a position to share with people, not the final status still, but what other points are important for the state and people.

He recalled that the State Government was not a party to the talks when it began in 2010. He said the state remained in the dark for nearly 13 years, as discussion were held bilaterally between the Government of Indi and the ENPO. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directly engaged with stakeholders in Mon and Tuensang, while the ENPO took its concerns straight to Delhi, effectively sidelining the state Government,” he added.

Kenye said that everyone was equally curious and concerned about the status of the talks. It was only after the dialogue became tripartite or trilateral that the State Government began to gain some insight into what had transpired during more than a decade of discussions.

He mentioned that it has been only about a year since the state became part of the process, and by then, it was not easy to make stakeholders roll back after having progressed so far. Restarting with a streamlined, corrected, or entirely new approach posed significant challenges, he added.

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“It’s not easy. It’s time-taking. It is very tricky,” Kenye said, adding that both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, and the ENPO, along with their leaders, have undergone a strenuous time with so much exercises, having to recast on so many areas of their approach.

“As the state government, being the third party in the talks, we had to tread cautiously. Ultimately, it is the state that is most affected, as the issue involves the bifurcation of its territory—be it east or west, north or south,” he added.

Kenye also added that considerable progress has been made, and the government is on the verge of finalising everything. However, he emphasized that the entire process is still ongoing.

Govt to constitute Reservation Review Commission amid growing public unrest

Emphasizing the ongoing debate over the reservation policy, Kenye acknowledged that the issue has dominated public discourse, with various groups taking to the streets to express their discontent. He noted that underprivileged communities have also submitted memorandums, while statements and counter-statements from all sides have reached the government. Amidst the conflicting views and opinions, Kenye stated that the government remains neutral on the matter.

Kenye highlighted that, based on the current population and employment ratios, significant disparities still exist. In an effort to address both minor and major concerns, the government has assured that a commission, titled the “Reservation Review Commission” will be constituted to review and rectify these imbalances.

Kenye added that the matter had also been discussed in the previous Cabinet meeting, and all members had agreed in principle to undertake a review of the current reservation framework.

Kenye highlighted that the Reservation Review Commission will be constituted as per the Cabinet’s decision on August 6. The commission will be headed by a Chairman and comprise three members, including three government officials. One official will be the AHOD of the Personnel & Administrative Reforms (PN&R) Department, since it directly deals with the subject. The second will be a representative from the Department of Justice and Law, and the third from the Office of the Home Commissioner. The Chairman, who will spearhead the commission, is expected to be a highly-ranked former official of the Nagaland Government.

Kenye added that the selection would be based on seniority and stature, and the responsibility of shortlisting candidates has been entrusted to the Chief Secretary and concerned officials. They will examine a panel of probable names, and in consultation with the Chief Minister, the final decision will be made.

He also mentioned that the three other members will include one representative each from the ENPO Block, the CNTC sector (Nagaland Block), and the Tenyimia Union Nagaland. Kenye underscored that the members should be people who are experienced, who have served in high places in the State of Government sector and that they should have enough experience and be men or women of integrity,and should be able to deliver justice and in all probability, the intention is not to let the three government officials be indigenous.

The government would prefer at least one non-indigenous official among the three, ideally someone who has held a high-ranking position in the State Government, he added.

The Minister also added that the Commission will be tasked with outlining and approving the terms of reference, which it will strictly adhere to. All related suggestions aimed at reviewing and rectifying the existing reservation policy will be submitted to the Commission once it is constituted. The Commission will be given a tenure of six months from the date of appointment, which may be extended if necessary. During this period, the Commission will carry out its responsibilities and submit its findings at the earliest possible date. The final report will then be placed before the Cabinet for consideration and further review.

As far as implementation is concerned, Kenye stated that the nation is moving towards a nationwide census, including a caste census, covering various aspects of Indian citizens’ lives—ranging from educational to socio-economic status. “This will be only the sixth such exercise since British India, before our independence. Based on this census, many decisions will be made that will significantly impact governance and the lives of citizens,” he said. He emphasized that as a state within the Indian Union, Nagaland must align itself with central policies.

“So, most probably, after the findings of the Commission also, we will take some time to observe the progress of the census of the country, and we would like to coincide our changes as per the census of the country, alongside with it,” he added.