BJP legislator Imkong L Imchen has urged the Nagaland state cabinet to engage all 60 members of the legislative assembly before making a final decision on the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA). He emphasized the need for collective discussion within the House, ensuring that all MLAs are involved in the crucial decision-making process. Speaking during the general discussion on the state budget, Imchen pointed out that while the cabinet had reviewed and submitted its comments on the third draft memorandum of settlement to the Union Home Ministry (MHA), the issue should not be decided without thorough deliberation in the assembly.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in response, clarified that discussions on FNTA were still in the initial stages and had not yet been formally placed before the MLAs. He confirmed that the state government forwarded its comments on the third draft to the MHA on November 6, 2024, and that deliberations between the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), the state government, and the MHA were ongoing. He assured that the assembly would be consulted at an appropriate time.
The ENPO, which represents seven tribes across six districts, has been demanding a separate state since 2010, citing years of neglect and underdevelopment. In a strong demonstration of their stance, people from these districts boycotted the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and civic polls. However, in December 2024, ENPO President Chingmak Chang announced that the organization had “temporarily accepted” the Centre’s offer of Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), which promises executive, legislative, and financial autonomy.
