Photo Courtesy: nenews
Kohima: The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation halted its planned shutdown scheduled for July 10. The group stepped back after the Nagaland government committed to a special Assembly session. Lawmakers intend to debate the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority. This move marks a pivot in the long-running struggle for autonomy in six eastern districts.
State officials, Rajya Sabha MP S. Phangnon Konyak, and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union urged the group to wait. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio warned that a shutdown would cripple essential services and student exams. The state maintains that the proposed FNTA legislation offers a legal path toward decentralized governance. It promises more financial and administrative control for Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator.
Talks in New Delhi between state leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently moved the needle, though the Centre remains quiet. The ENPO insists that the previous tripartite Memorandum of Agreement must be honored. They stated that the pact remains "sacred and sacrosanct" for all involved parties.
The assembly session will address the governing council and power structures. The ENPO is not satisfied yet. The group expects real power, not a "toothless" arrangement. They will meet August 6 to review the government’s performance. They plan to restart the protest if the new bill misses the mark or if the Centre stalls on political settlements.
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