In a major development and that would mark fulfilment of Modi Govt's commitment towards hitherto governance-starved and 'neglected' region of Nagaland; the revised Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill was introduced in the state assembly on Tuesday, Sept 1.
A Bill reportedly without giving 'adequate legislative and financial powers' to the new body was withdrawn by Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton.
The state government is run by the NPF-BJP dispensation headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio. Patton is a BJP legislator and holds the key portfolio of Home.
In the BJP and official circles, this is being seen as "fulfilling of promise and assurance" made by Home Minister Amit Shah during his repeated meetings with local Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) leaders and also during election campaign in 2023.
The BJP's lone Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland - Ms Phangnon Konyak also hails from this region.
In March this year, the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026 introduced by Paton was initially scheduled for consideration and passage on March 27th.
But it was deferred close on the heels of a request by the Leader of the House and Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio.
The move to defer the crucial legislative came after the Government of India, that is the Home Ministry intervened.
The MHA is a signatory to the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). There were also appeals and threats of agitation from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU).
The state government had later agreed to ensure that the provisions of the MoA are "addressed in a legally sound" and constitutionally tenable manner in the revised FNTA Bill 2026.
Whether there was a minor tug of war between among political leaders and stakeholders vis-a-vis providing legislative and financial powers to the FNTA could be debated another day.
In March during the brief debate, appraising the House on the matter, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said that the government has consistently striven to ensure equity and inclusiveness in development across all sections and regions of the state.
"However, owing to various historical reasons and geographical challenges, the districts of the Eastern Nagaland Region have suffered significant developmental deficits and continue to lag behind on several key indicators," he reportedly told the assembly. (DIPR)
Mon region in ENPO region suffered floods in 2026 also
Sources say now with the passage of the new and revised Bill and after Governor's assent, the process of forming an interim body will be kicked off.
The 17-member panel is likely to have three MLAs from the region, Rajya Sabha MP, Ms Phangon (of BJP) and 13 others including a few social workers and former politicians.
"This is a step forward and a crucial big step in materialising FNTA as was promised and ensured by the Modi Government," a source said.
The Speaker of the Nagaland assembly, Sharingain Longkumer, later announced that the new Bill will be taken up for consideration and debate on Sept 3, Thursday.
The agreement was signed on Feb 5, 2026, in the presence of Union Home Minister.
The agreement seeks to pave the way for creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) for six districts of Nagaland -- Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire,
Longleng, Noklak and Shamator.
It also deals with devolution of powers in respect of 46 subjects to the FNTA.
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