Autonomy pact inked for 6 Nagaland districts

NEW DELHI: A tripartite agreement was signed on Thursday among the Centre, Nagaland govt and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) — which champions the cause of eight recognised tribes of eastern Nagaland — in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, paving the way for creation of a Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) for six districts of Nagaland.As part of the arrangement, there will be devolution of powers relating to 46 subjects to FNTA, which will cover the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. The autonomy and greater say will address the long-standing grievances of ENPO over lack of equitable development in eastern Nagaland districts.Shah, describing the agreement as a step that furthers realisation of PM Narendra Modi’s vision for a violence-free and developed northeast, recalled how he met ENPO leaders in 2021-22 and convinced them against boycotting elections by underlining that Centre was committed to resolving every dispute. He said Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio had then assured him his govt would hear and resolve grievances of ENPO.MHA in a statement said the agreement provides for sharing of development outlay for the eastern Nagaland region in proportion to population and area.