FNTA agreement rekindles hopein eastern Nagaland: WC, NNPGs

Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has welcomed the tripartite agreement signed on February 5, between Government of India, Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), and Nagaland government for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), stating that it has “rekindled hope” in eastern Nagaland.
WC, NNPGs through its media cell described the development as “a timely correction of the historical injustice” endured by the people of Eastern Nagaland for decades. It called the move “a powerful reminder” that the will of the people remains supreme.
The committee emphasised that the new arrangement must address and rectify long-standing administrative and economic neglect. WC stressed that it was now the responsibility of the Eastern Nagas to establish an ingenious, independent, and transparent mechanism to drive robust transformation, ensuring that the commitments on paper translate effectively into action on the ground.
Acknowledging the FNTA announcement as a positive step, the WC, NNPGs reminded the signatories that there was a larger unresolved “Indo-Naga” political issue that encompassed entire Naga ancestral homeland.
Reiterating that formal negotiations concluded on October 31, 2019, the committee said “Broadly, clear negotiated charters” were on the tables of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
It expressed confidence that New Delhi and Kohima were aligned on the core issues. WC noted that the “status paper” was inclusive, covering Nagas from Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. “Regardless of this fact, if the Nagaland state government has a separate agenda to negotiate with the GoI and desires a new interlocutor, that is a different matter,” WC said.
As a negotiating entity, the WC, NNPGs affirmed that the “Indo-Naga” talks have officially concluded, with all core political matters thoroughly deliberated.
The committee described any attempt to downgrade the “agreed position” as inconceivable.
WC stated that Naga people have “walked and talked beyond the interlocutory phase” and that attention must now turn to the Indian political leadership to move to the final phase: the announcement and signing of a Political Agreement in line with the negotiated and agreed terms.
The committee stressed that this step was the only rational and practical path towards an enduring peaceful co-existence.