For unique Frontier Nagaland arrangement ENPO accepts GoI offer

Kohima: The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has accepted the Government of India’s (GoI) offer for a Unique Arrangement with Executive, Legislative, and Financial Autonomy for Frontier Nagaland (FNT). This decision came after a significant tripartite meeting held in New Delhi on December 13.

The meeting, convened in response to discussions held between the ENPO and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Committee on August 13 in Guwahati, was attended by key representatives from the Government of India, Nagaland State Government, and the ENPO delegation.

The Union Home Secretary, Govin Mohan, Chief of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka, Advisor North East Incharge AK Mishra, and other senior officials represented the GOI, informed a press release from the ENPO today.

From the State Government of Nagaland, Chief Secretary J. Alam, along with various top officials including Addl. Chief Secretary Senti Yanger and Commissioner Anden Konyak, participated in the discussions. The ENPO delegation was led by its President, Chingmak Chang, along with Vice Presidents, General Secretary, and other prominent leaders from Eastern Nagaland.

During the meeting, the ENPO delegation reiterated their unwavering stance for the demand of a separate statehood for Eastern Nagaland, titled “Frontier Nagaland”. However, considering the present difficulties faced by the GOI, they have temporarily accepted the proposed offer of FNT with its autonomy framework.

The ENPO expressed optimism regarding the ongoing negotiations, emphasizing their confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfill the proposed FNT arrangement in the interest of the people of Eastern Nagaland.

“The Demand of the People of Eastern Nagaland is for a separate Statehood ‘Frontier Nagaland. However, the ENPO having considered the difficulties of the Government of India at the present juncture had decided to temporarily accept the offer of the GOI for FNT, a Unique Arrangement with Executive, Legislative and Financial Autonomy,” the ENPO said.

“With the ongoing negotiation on Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) at an Advanced Stage, the ENPO is optimistic that the Government of India under the abled Leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will not fail in fulfilling the proposed offer of FNT by the Government of India in the interest of the people of Eastern Nagaland,” it added

The ENPO further expressed its confidence that the Union Home Minister of India, Amit Shah and the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, will honour the statement declared on 20th February 2023 at Mon Town and on 21st February 2023 at Tuensang Town.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to a subsequent round of discussions, expected in early January 2025, to address unresolved issues and move forward with the FNT arrangement.