NewKerala.com

Key Points

The Nagaland cabinet will meet to discuss the long-pending demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory. The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) has been pushing for this since 2010. Recent tripartite talks in Delhi involved MHA officials and state leaders. The issue remains contentious despite multiple rounds of negotiations.

Key Points: Nagaland Cabinet to Deliberate Frontier Nagaland Territory Demand

  • Nagaland cabinet to discuss Frontier Nagaland Territory proposal
  • ENPO seeks separate territory for six eastern districts
  • Tripartite talks held with MHA and state officials
  • ENPO boycotted 2023 polls over unresolved demands
2 min read

Nagaland cabinet to discuss Frontier Nagaland Territory tomorrow: Minister

Nagaland cabinet to discuss ENPO's Frontier Nagaland Territory demand after recent tripartite talks with MHA.

"We shall also discuss with the ENPO leaders on Wednesday on the issue. – Yanthungo Patton"

Kohima, July 29

The Nagaland cabinet in its meeting on Wednesday deliberated on the Centre’s proposal to resolve pending issues related to the demand for creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton said on Tuesday.

Since 2010, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) has been agitating for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' or separate state comprising six eastern Nagaland districts -- Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, inhabited by seven backwards tribes.

The Nagaland government took the decision to discuss the Frontier Nagaland Territory issue in the cabinet after the third tripartite meeting held on July 23 in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Nagaland government, and leaders of the ENPO.

Patton, who holds the Home and Border Affairs portfolios, said that the cabinet meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would discuss the matter.

“We shall also discuss with the ENPO leaders on Wednesday on the issue,” Patton, also a senior BJP leader, told the media on the sidelines of an official event.

According to an official, in the New Delhi meeting, a couple of contentious issues were reportedly resolved, barring a few pending ones from the Nagaland government side. The Union government has requested the state government to resolve the pending issues at the earliest.

The ENPO has been organising various agitations for the past 15 years demanding a separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' or separate state comprising six eastern Nagaland districts -- Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang, inhabited by seven backwards tribes -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam and Yimkhiung.

The state government also submitted their comments on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) in respect of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority to the MHA in November last year.

Several rounds of discussions have already been held on the issue, in New Delhi and in Nagaland, and substantial progress has been made, and the government is hopeful that any remaining concerns of the ENPO will be addressed, the government official pointed out.

The ENPO had boycotted several important elections, including the 2023 Assembly polls, to press for their demands.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
After 15 years of agitation, it's good to see progress in talks. But will this really solve the development issues? Or just create more administrative headaches? 🤔
A
Aditya G
As someone from Northeast, I can say these tribal areas have been neglected for decades. If separate territory brings better governance and development, why not?
S
Sarah B
The government should focus on improving infrastructure and education in these areas rather than creating new territories. More bureaucracy won't solve core issues.
K
Karthik V
Hope this doesn't become another Telangana situation where creation of new state led to more demands across India. Centre must have clear policy on state division.
M
Meera T
The tribal communities deserve better representation and development. But instead of separation, can't we have special autonomous councils with more powers?

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50