Naga political issue remains a key priority for the Nagaland government, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio calling for an early and honourable settlement of the decades-old matter and urging faster operationalisation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). Rio made the remarks during Nagaland’s Independence Day celebrations in Kohima on August 15, 2026.
Nagaland CM seeks early Naga political issue settlement
Addressing the state-level Independence Day programme at the Civil Secretariat Plaza, Rio said his government remains committed to facilitating an early and honourable resolution. He acknowledged the continued aspirations of the people for a settlement and stressed the need to maintain efforts towards resolving the issue.
The chief minister’s latest appeal comes as the state continues to deal with the complex political process involving Naga groups and the Centre. The government has repeatedly maintained that a peaceful and inclusive settlement is essential for the long-term interests of Nagaland.
Rio also called for the Centre to expedite the operationalisation of the FNTA, an arrangement created to address the developmental and administrative aspirations of Eastern Nagaland.
FNTA agreement created a new administrative framework
The FNTA process gained momentum after a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement was signed on February 5, 2026, between the Government of India, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO).
The proposed authority covers six districts: Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator. The arrangement is intended to provide a special self-governing framework while supporting social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic aspirations in the region.
The agreement also envisages greater planning and development powers for the authority. The state government has said funds would be allocated according to population and geographical size, while the Centre would provide additional support through special development grants.
Why the FNTA Bill faced delays
The rollout of the FNTA has faced legal and constitutional questions. A Bill was introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 26, but its consideration was deferred after the Ministry of Home Affairs said the issue of granting legislative powers to the authority was still under examination.
The state’s Advocate General had earlier raised concerns over whether legislative powers could constitutionally be transferred to the FNTA through state legislation. The Centre subsequently sought further legal advice, including the opinion of the Solicitor General.
The Bill was therefore returned to the government for further examination. The development highlighted the need to ensure that the agreement is implemented within the constitutional framework while addressing the expectations of Eastern Nagaland.
Government plans special Assembly session
In July, the Nagaland government announced that it would convene a special session of the state Assembly to enact legislation for the constitution of the FNTA. The proposed legislation is expected to include provisions concerning legislative powers over transferred subjects and departments, subject to consultation with and approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The government has also stressed that Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which provides special safeguards for Nagaland, will remain protected.
The announcement led the ENPO to defer a proposed public rally and shutdown in Eastern Nagaland. The organisation had expressed concern over delays in implementing the February agreement and later planned further discussions through its Central Executive Council.
Development remains central to the FNTA demand
The FNTA arrangement is closely linked to concerns over the development gap between Eastern Nagaland and other parts of the state. The state government has acknowledged that geographical challenges, historical factors and limited resources have contributed to lower development indicators in the eastern districts.
The government has also sought an increase in the proposed central economic package for the region. While the MoA referred to an economic package of ₹5,000 crore, Nagaland has requested that it be raised to at least ₹10,000 crore to accelerate infrastructure and economic development.
For Eastern Nagaland, effective implementation of the FNTA could therefore have implications beyond administration, particularly in infrastructure, education, employment and public services.
Political settlement and regional aspirations remain linked
Rio’s latest remarks place the Naga political issue and the FNTA process within the wider objective of achieving peace, stability and balanced development in Nagaland. While the two matters are distinct, both involve long-standing political aspirations and require sustained engagement between different stakeholders.
The chief minister’s renewed appeal signals that the state government intends to keep both issues high on its agenda. For the Naga political issue, the focus remains on an acceptable and honourable settlement, while the FNTA process now depends on resolving outstanding constitutional and legislative questions.
The coming months are likely to be important as Nagaland works with the Centre and Eastern Nagaland representatives to move the FNTA framework forward. At the same time, continued dialogue will remain crucial to achieving progress on the broader Naga political issue and ensuring that the state’s diverse aspirations are addressed through a peaceful and constitutional process.
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