KOHIMA: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) announced on Monday that it would "temporarily" accept the Indian government's offer for a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
In a statement, ENPO president M Honang Konyak along with general secretary Chingmak Chang disclosed that New Delhi witnessed a tripartite meeting on December 13, 2024, after earlier deliberations involving the ENPO and the Committee of the MHA met in Guwahati on August 13, 2024. The tripartite meeting was summoned at the behest of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
At the meeting, ENPO reiterates its demand for a separate state of Frontier Nagaland. However, recognizing the challenges the Indian government is facing at this time, ENPO decides to temporarily accept the FNT offer, which it describes as a "unique arrangement" that provides executive, legislative, and financial autonomy.
ENPO took cognizance of the "substantial progress" achieved during the meeting and said that the next round of discussions would be taken up by the second week of January 2025 to discuss the pending matters.
As the talks on FNT were progressing, ENPO expressed confidence that the Indian government, under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would act on the offer in the best interest of the people of Eastern Nagaland.
The ENPO also expressed trust that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would honor their commitments made in February 2023, pledging to fully support the ENPO's issues once the NDPP-BJP government took office.
ENPO thanked the state government for its input on the Ministry of State's Draft on FNT, which helped progress the talks held on December 13, 2024. The organization also thanked the MHA Committee led by AK Mishra for dedicating themselves to the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland without further delay.
Representative from the Indian Government present at the meeting include Union Home Secretary Govin Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Kumar Deka, North East Advisor AK Mishra, and several others.
Nagaland Government was represented by Chief Secretary J Alam and a couple of other senior officials. ENPO delegation included the president Chingmak Chang, with several key members such as the vice presidents Shahsha L. Phom and Z. Throngshe Yimchunger, general secretary Honang Konyak, and former MP K. Asungba Sangtam.
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