Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio says Nagaland Assembly will pass State Act for Frontier Nagaland interim body on March 2.
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DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Wednesday that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly will pass an Act during the budget session on March 2 to provide for an interim Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) arrangement, after which an interim body will be constituted for one year before elections are held.
Rio made the announcement while addressing a welcome programme organised by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) at its office in Chümoukedima, following his return from Delhi where he had met central leaders on the 16th Finance Commission, the ENPO proposal, the Naga political issue and the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
He clarified that the proposed legislation will be a State Act, not a Parliamentary Act.
On his Delhi engagements, Rio said that on February 3, he had met BJP national president Nitin Nabin, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and Minister Temjen Imna Along. On February 4, he called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to deliberate on matters relating to the 16th Finance Commission award.
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He expressed concern that, unlike previous commissions, the 16th Finance Commission had discontinued the Revenue Deficit Grant, which could result in a substantial annual loss for Nagaland, affecting development activities and even the payment of government salaries. He cautioned that such a situation could lead to serious instability and adversely impact the ongoing Naga political process.
Rio said the Finance Minister assured that the matter would be addressed. He added that similar assurances were received from the Home minister and that the convening of the state budget session would depend on adequate financial support.
Regarding the ENPO proposal, Rio said that during meetings with the Home secretary and the director of the intelligence bureau on February 4, the proposal for Frontier Nagaland Territory was reviewed point by point, necessary corrections were made, and it was aligned with the state Cabinet’s decision. He said the Finance ministry indicated that financial provisions for the autonomous arrangement would be met from the Home ministry’s budget and would not affect Nagaland’s share.
On the Naga political issue, Rio said that on September 12, 2024, a consultative meeting involving 61 organisations had passed a resolution, which 226 participants signed, and that the full set of documents is with the party. He said the state leadership had appealed to the government of India to process the issue at the political or ministerial level, following which the Home ministry indicated it would appoint a Union minister of state and an intelligence bureau expert to take the process forward.
He noted that delimitation is expected from 2026 and said efforts must be intensified to make progress on the Naga issue before the current term ends. He added that even if a complete settlement is not achieved, the government must present a “report card” to the public, and that the Cabinet and the political affairs committee are working with this commitment.
On FMR and border fencing, Rio said the state government would discharge its responsibilities. He pointed out that Nagaland has one of the lowest crime rates and that Naga political groups are currently at peace. However, he said that since neither the state nor the Centre provides rations or financial support to these groups, the groups sometimes resort to illegal taxation, which has led to disputes and tensions. He emphasised that a lasting political solution is therefore urgent.
On PAP, Rio said the restriction should be lifted for Nagaland. He said the state maintains proper records of all foreign entrants and exit points and claimed that despite unrest in neighbouring states, not a single refugee had entered Nagaland.
He said further groundwork would be done to press for removal of the PAP and that Nagaland should not be placed in the same category as Manipur and Mizoram.
He added that no formal assurance had been given, but he was asked to submit a report after meeting the Home Minister and the IB Director.
Rio also said the Cabinet has decided to begin oil and natural gas exploration along the Assam–Nagaland border, with both states agreeing to share royalty on a 50–50 basis. He informed that a cabinet sub-committee has been constituted to oversee this process, with himself as convenor, the two deputy chief ministers and elected representatives from the concerned area as members, and the chief secretary as member secretary, with the objective of ensuring transparency.
He said that after the budget session and necessary official consultations, detailed discussions would be held in Nagaland, an MoU signed, and initiatives related to petroleum, natural gas and mineral exploration would proceed.
On broader Naga unity, Rio said the state must engage with Naga communities in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and pursue emotional, social and cultural integration through a Pan-Naga Hoho, even if physical integration of contiguous Naga areas is not immediately feasible.
He said any eventual political settlement should have such a platform to receive and guide it, warning that its absence could create confusion.
Responding to a query on AK Mishra, he said that the latter continues to serve as adviser for the Northeast, overseeing law and order and related issues, and that the state is not opposed to him. However, he reiterated that the Naga issue is fundamentally political and must be handled at that level.
Rio clarified that evangelist Franklin Graham’s planned visit did not take place because, although the central government granted permission, Graham did not agree to certain conditions attached to it.
Addressing party workers, Rio said that since the NDPP and NPF began working together, there had been no complaints and that unity among Nagas was essential.
He added that if there is unity, everything is possible.
He also criticised certain senior citizens’ groups, including SC Jamir, alleging that they were speaking almost like an opposition to the Naga cause.
Earlier, the CM was welcomed by an ENPO delegation at Dimapur Airport.