Rio-led Nagaland delegation meets Amit Shah as FNTA Bill concerns and ongoing Naga political talks gain renewed attention
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KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is leading a high-level Nagaland delegation to New Delhi for meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, amid continuing discussions over the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) and the protracted Naga political issue.
The delegation included Deputy Chief Ministers TR Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton, MLA Achumbemo Kikon, and senior state officials.
The meeting with Shah assumes significance in the backdrop of the unresolved status of the FNTA Bill, 2026, which was deferred during the recently concluded session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly following legal and constitutional concerns over the conferring of legislative powers on the proposed authority.
Sharing photographs from the meeting on social media, Rio wrote: “Called on the Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah Ji, along with Dy. CMs TR Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton.”
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“Grateful for his continued support to Nagaland, particularly in furthering peace, stability and development in the State,” he added.
The meeting also comes amid the ongoing political negotiations between the government of India and various Naga political groups.
It may be mentioned that the government of Nagaland on February 5, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the government of India and the Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for the constitution of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority within the state.
Subsequently, the FNTA Bill, 2026, was listed for passage on March 27 during the Assembly session. Rio had then informed the House that Shah had expressed willingness to attend the official inauguration of the authority.
However, the proposed legislation was later deferred after the advocate general reportedly opined that legislative powers could not be conferred on the FNTA through a state law, as the state government lacked the constitutional competence to delegate such powers.
During the Assembly session, Rio informed the House that the draft Bill had been prepared following the MoA and was deliberated upon by the state Cabinet on February 26. The matter was later referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on March 6, while a revised draft Bill, following legal vetting, was submitted on March 17.
According to Rio, the MHA subsequently informed the state government on March 26 that the issue of conferring legislative powers on the FNTA remained under examination and that the opinion of the Solicitor General of India was being sought.
The ENPO had meanwhile appealed for strict adherence to the provisions of the MoA while framing the legislation, while the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union requested that passage of the Bill be deferred until all concerns were addressed.
“In view of the request made by the government of India, the appeal of ENPO, and the concerns raised by ENLU, it is necessary to ensure that the provisions of the MoA are addressed in a legally sound and constitutionally tenable manner,” Rio had stated while moving for deferment of the Bill in the Assembly.
Taking note of the developments, Speaker Sharingain Longkumer invoked Rule 93 read with Rule 313 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and deferred the Bill to the next emergent session.
The Speaker also directed that the proposed legislation be referred back to the state government for necessary examination and redress through the department of Parliamentary Affairs, citing the historic significance and public sentiment attached to the issue.
Meanwhile, Rio and the delegation also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday evening to discuss the state’s financial position and development requirements.
In a post on X, Rio stated: “Met the Hon’ble FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji, along with Dy. CMs TR Zeliang, Yanthungo Patton, & MLA Achumbemo Kikon. Apprised her of Nagaland’s financial status & the continued support needed for development priorities.”
He also expressed gratitude to the finance minister for her understanding and assurance of support.