Neiphiu Rio said the FNTA Bill may be tabled in the ongoing Assembly session and that the Centre will appoint a Minister of State-level interlocutor for the Naga peace process.
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KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said a Bill to operationalise the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) is likely to be introduced and passed during the ongoing session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He also informed the House that the Centre has indicated it would appoint a Minister of State-level interlocutor to engage in the Naga peace process.
Delivering his concluding remarks on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address during the eighth session of the 14th NLA, Rio said the state government had on February 5, 2026 signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Government of India and the Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation for constitution of the FNTA within the state.
He clarified that the agreement is guided by basic principles, including no division of Nagaland, no separate state or Union Territory, no Sixth Schedule Council, no amendment to Article 371(A) and no discretionary powers to the Governor. He said legislative, executive and financial powers would continue to rest with the state, though the Governor would have special responsibility for the FNTA areas as agreed upon. The arrangement, he added, would not impact the ongoing Naga political talks.
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Rio said the government is working on constituting an Interim Council for the FNTA in consultation with ENPO and tribal hohos of eastern Nagaland, and that a Bill incorporating the provisions of the MoA is being prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Naga peace process
On the broader Naga political issue, Rio reiterated that the state government remains a facilitator in the negotiations between the Centre and Naga political groups.
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“Our role has always been that of a facilitator,” he said, adding that the objective is to create a positive and enabling environment to strengthen the process and expedite a just and honourable solution.
He informed the House that he led a high-level delegation to New Delhi on February 5, which met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and highlighted a four-point resolution adopted at a consultative meeting on September 12, 2024, endorsed by 226 signatories from 61 organisations.
According to Rio, the key appeal was for the Centre to elevate the dialogue to the highest political or ministerial level by appointing an interlocutor at the political level. He said the Union Home Minister responded positively and indicated that a Minister of State for Home Affairs along with a senior Home Ministry official would be appointed to engage in talks at the political or ministerial level.
Census 2027 and other matters
On other matters, Rio urged elected members to assist in ensuring proper conduct of the Census 2027, acknowledging discrepancies in the 2001 Census and the need for accurate data. A detailed briefing session for legislators is scheduled for March 11, he said.
Responding to concerns on teacher rationalisation, he said some schools have negligible enrolment but multiple teachers due to earlier population-based upgradations, and directed the School Education department to revisit specific cases.
On unemployment, Rio emphasised skilling and entrepreneurship, urging institutions to focus on emerging sectors such as forensic data analysis and artificial intelligence.
Noting that some organisations have demanded higher quotas for Nagas at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Nagaland, he clarified those national institutions, including NIT, function under their own policies. Any grievances must be routed through proper channels, he said, adding that pressure tactics to secure seats are unacceptable. He also clarified that there are no additional “backward quota” provisions.
On the long-pending Foothill Road project, Rio said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has indicated willingness to fund the project and declare it a National Highway, provided 30 metres of land is made available and forest and environmental clearances are secured.
However, he said landowners have demanded compensation for providing land, which cannot be paid until the road is declared a National Highway.
He informed that deputy commissioners have been directed to hold consultations with tribal bodies and landowners to resolve the issue and report back to the state government. He added that construction of the road would help the state realise its economic potential.
Further, Rio condemned incidents of racial discrimination against people from the Northeast and called for tolerance and respect for dignity.
The House unanimously adopted the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s address and will remain in recess until March 9.