Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio confirmed the state government will present the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill on September 1. This move aims to grant administrative autonomy to six eastern districts. The Cabinet cleared the path after meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization to address legal roadblocks.
The plan follows a February tripartite agreement involving the state, the Centre, and the organization. Officials previously struggled to delegate legislative powers under the initial framework. They worked to align the draft with state law and consulted the Attorney General. "We held discussions with them and drafted another letter," Rio said regarding the process. The government then forwarded the proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the bill stands on firm ground.
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization represents eight tribes across the region. They pushed for a separate state starting in 2010 before shifting focus toward the current autonomy model. Beyond this bill, the upcoming Assembly session will tackle matters under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
Rio also addressed the ongoing Naga political issue. He maintains that central leadership must handle negotiations directly. This stance aligns with a September 12, 2024, resolution signed by over 300 representatives, including tribal leaders, church groups, and lawmakers. The Political Affairs Committee formally backed this position on September 1, 2025, before presenting the case to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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