The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has announced a peaceful public rally and shutdown to reaffirm its commitment to the Memorandum of Agreement.
DIMAPUR — The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) Central Executive Council (CEC) has postponed its planned peaceful public rally from July 7 to July 10, in light of the Tuluni Festival, which is celebrated by the Sumi community.
The rally was initially proposed during the CEC meeting on June 3, 2026, following a resolution adopted at the ENPO-Tribal and Frontal Organisations’ meeting in Tuensang on June 24, to reaffirm Eastern Nagaland's unwavering commitment to the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on February 5.
The rally will feature a brief programme, a peaceful procession, and the submission of a memorandum. A peaceful dawn-to-dusk shutdown will also be observed across Eastern Nagaland.
The ENPO has called for mass participation while noting that it reserves the right to cancel or postpone the event should urgent developments arise from either the central or state government.
In a circular, the ENPO's CEC has outlined the plan of action for the rally, informing that simultaneous public rallies will be held on July 10 at all district headquarters of Eastern Nagaland. These rallies aim to reaffirm the people's commitment to the MoA signed earlier this year and to pressure the central and state governments to facilitate the smooth implementation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) without further delay.
Also read: Eastern Nagaland political leaders rally behind ENPO amid FNTA row
The ENPO also called for constitution of a district-level joint organising committee in each district for effective conduct of the rally jointly led the apex organisation and the concerned Tribal Council. The committee, it stated, shall be responsible for all necessary preparations, coordination and execution of the programme, including logistical arrangements and expenditures.
ENPO executives and representatives from frontal organisations are expected to attend the rallies in their assigned districts.
The circular further stated that "The memorandum to the Prime Minister of India reaffirming the people's commitment to the MoA shall be submitted through the respective Deputy Commissioner (DC) by the concerned Tribal Council/councils."
Pre-Rally Deliberation Meeting on July 7
Convening a pre-rally deliberation meeting on July 7 in Dimapur in connection with preparation the event, the ENPO has requested all Tribal Councils to send two representatives each for the same.
“Other key agenda for the said meeting is signing of an undertaking, where MoA signatories and ENPO executives will reaffirm their commitment, therefore all MoA signatories are requested to attend without fail,” read the circular.
It may be mentioned that the ENPO achieved a major breakthrough on February 5 by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the government of India and the government of Nagaland for creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). Following the signing, the ENPO delegation received a civic reception at Dimapur Airport on February 7.
During the reception, ENPO president A. Chingmak Chang stated that the FNTA would operate under Article 371(A) of the Constitution for a period of 10 years. He also clarified that the demand for separate statehood remains unchanged, describing the FNTA as a "unique and special arrangement" offered by the Ministry of Home Affairs as an interim measure.
However, on May 30, the ENPO accused the state government of attempting to dilute the core provisions of the MoA. It expressed concern over what it termed the state government's "U-turn" on the signed MoA, which provides for the FNTA as a unique self-governing territorial authority with legislative, executive, and financial autonomy within Nagaland.
The ENPO further accused the state government of shifting responsibility to the Centre by deviating from the signed agreement, alleging that it was trying to distance itself from positions it had earlier endorsed during consultations regarding the proposed Frontier Nagaland arrangement.
In a press release issued on May 30, the ENPO called for clarity and commitment, urging the government to uphold the agreement in both letter and spirit, and ensure its smooth implementation for the peace, progress, and welfare of the people of Eastern Nagaland.
It also recalled that the FNTA agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of the Union Home Minister, the Union Home Secretary, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and his Cabinet members, describing it as the culmination of the negotiation process.
Reiterating its demand, the ENPO has called on the state government to table and pass the FNTA Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly without diluting any provision of the signed MoA, maintaining that the arrangement was intended to address the long-standing developmental and governance concerns of the people of Eastern Nagaland.