In a landmark step towards resolving decades-old grievances in eastern Nagaland, the Government of India on Thursday signed a tripartite agreement with the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO). The agreement seeks to address long-pending political and developmental concerns of the region and is being seen as a major breakthrough for peace and inclusive governance in the Northeast.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the agreement as historic, stating in a post on X that it marked a giant stride towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Northeast. He said the pact resolves long-standing issues of eastern Nagaland through dialogue and consensus.
The agreement provides for the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), a new administrative body aimed at strengthening governance and accelerating development in the eastern part of the state. The FNTA will cover six districts—Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang—inhabited by eight major tribes represented by the ENPO.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured full support from the Centre for the effective implementation of the agreement. Shah said the Union Home Ministry would bear the initial expenses required to establish the FNTA and confirmed that a dedicated annual fund would be released to ensure sustained development of the region.
The ENPO has for years raised concerns over what it described as administrative neglect and uneven development since the formation of Nagaland. While the organisation initially demanded a separate state, it later accepted the Centre’s proposal for a special autonomous administrative arrangement under the FNTA framework.
Addressing the occasion, Shah recalled his earlier interactions with ENPO leaders ahead of the 2021–22 elections and reiterated that the Centre was committed to resolving all outstanding issues through dialogue. He said that since the creation of Nagaland, people in the eastern region had felt deprived of justice, and the agreement reflected mutual trust built over time.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio termed the agreement a milestone achieved through cooperation and understanding. He said the MoU balances local aspirations with the broader goal of development and would ensure that governance and resources reach even the most remote areas of eastern Nagaland.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan noted that the agreement brings closure to prolonged negotiations and addresses the core demands of the region’s people, paving the way for stability and progress.
Highlighting the Centre’s broader approach to the Northeast, Shah pointed out that since 2019, the Modi government has signed 12 major agreements in the region. He reaffirmed that the Centre remains committed to implementing each of them in letter and spirit, assuring the people of eastern Nagaland continued support for their development and welfare.
