Kohima: The much-anticipated tripartite talks on the proposed creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) are set to take place on January 15. The discussions will involve representatives from the central government, the Nagaland state government, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO). The meeting, marking the first of its kind in the state, will be held in Chumoukedima district.
The ENPO, which has been advocating for a separate state comprising six eastern districts of Nagaland since 2010, recently expressed conditional acceptance of the Centre’s proposal to grant the region a certain level of autonomy. This temporary agreement set the stage for the upcoming discussions, which aim to address longstanding grievances of neglect in the region.
The six districts in question—Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang—are home to eight tribes, including the Chang, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan, and a section of the Sema community. ENPO claims these areas have been sidelined in development efforts since the formation of Nagaland in 1963, leading to decades of frustration among the local population.
In pursuit of their demand for statehood, the ENPO boycotted the Lok Sabha and Urban Local Body elections earlier this year, further intensifying pressure on the government. The state Cabinet had deliberated on the issue in October last year, acknowledging the ENPO’s concerns and the need for a resolution.
The Centre’s representative, A K Mishra, has already arrived in Nagaland ahead of the talks, signaling the seriousness of the initiative. The outcome of these discussions is expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the region and addressing the aspirations of its people for enhanced autonomy and development.