Kohima: The Nagaland Tribes Council is pushing back against the state government. Leaders are fuming over a Cabinet recommendation to grant legislative powers to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority. Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ministry officials in Delhi to discuss the plan. The government claims the Centre promised a decision within two weeks. The NTC is not buying the legality of this move.
President Pankathung Lotha and General Secretary Onnen Walling issued a sharp critique of the state leadership. They argue that the Cabinet crossed its own Lakshman Rekha by recommending powers that belong to a full-fledged state. The group fears the proposal creates a mini state out of the six eastern districts. This would leave Nagaland with only 11 districts and 40 MLAs. The remaining 20 MLAs would govern the FNTA.
NTC leaders warn this leads to further division among Nagas. They see the map splitting into Burma Nagas, FNTA Nagas, and the remaining Nagaland Nagas. The council labeled the proposal "nothing short of political stupidity" on the part of the opposition-less BJP-NPF government. They questioned why the state is pushing this recommendation if the Centre holds the constitutional authority to decide.
The council remains skeptical of the current political trajectory. They are demanding clarity on the compulsions behind this two-week deadline. The NTC warned that the signatories to the recommendation will bear full responsibility for the fallout. They now want a transparent explanation for the benefit of all Naga tribes, including the ENPO.
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