Kohima: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to officially launch the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) in April, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference following the post-budget presentation at the Assembly Secretariat in Kohima, CM Rio said the state government had been informed of Amit Shah’s interest in launching the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority by April. The announcement comes after the FNTA Bill was introduced during the ongoing session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on February 5, 2026, between the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO).
Rio said the state government had formally written to the Centre seeking consultations after the agreement. He added that the FNTA Bill, which is scheduled to be taken up for passage on Friday, was drafted by the state’s Law and Justice Department incorporating key provisions of the MoA, in consultation with the state’s Auditor General.
Despite the absence of a formal response from the Centre on certain communicated issues, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to honouring the agreement with ENPO.
Earlier presenting the presenting the Budget 2026-27, Rio congratulated the people of the eastern districts. Rio said the signing of the MoA for the establishment of the FNTA marked a significant step towards strengthening governance and addressing long-standing aspirations in the region.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
He expressed gratitude to the Union government and all stakeholders in the state for making the agreement possible and said the arrangement reflects the government’s commitment to improving participation and ensuring measurable development outcomes in the eastern districts.
Rio also said the state government has been working to expedite the process for the formation of the FNTA interim body, with the Bill currently being tabled during the ongoing Assembly session.
Also Read | Nagaland MP clarifies compensation concerns over Foothills Road project