
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 15
The negotiation over the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) is reportedly on the right track. “Yes, it's on the right track,” said the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) President, A Chingmak Chang after the conclusion of what was said to be the second round of ‘Tripartite Talks’ between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Nagaland state government and ENPO.
The meeting was held at the Nagaland Police Complex, Chümoukedima, on January 15. Former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau, AK Mishra, who is also the Government of India’s (GoI) representative in the Indo-Naga political talks, led a three-member MHA team. The state government team was led by Chief Secretary J Alam, and Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen.
Chang declined to get into the details of the more contentious points, only stating that “some key” issues were discussed. He though maintained that the ENPO cannot give a final nod of approval to any offer from the MHA that does not guarantee financial, executive and legislative autonomy to the proposed FNT.
According to him, the MHA has agreed to the demand but only in principle. “We hope that the government of India is serious and solution will be acceptable and honorable to the ENPO people,” he said.
To the ENPO, he said that the FNT was a “third option” as opposed to the demand for a separate state carved out of Nagaland.
The offer from the MHA or the Government of India is for an administrative entity styled on the lines of the autonomous councils in place in ‘Scheduled’ areas or states.
He refused to disclose any details even as he was prodded further on the key topics tabled at the meeting. “Out of so many demands, out of so many proposals, there are only some few key issues which we could not come to a conclusion. That is why we have discussed thoroughly today,” he said, while adding that things will be further smoothened at the next meeting.
While offers and counter-demands get hammered out over the next rounds of meetings, Chang disclosed that the ENPO has placed a demand for establishing a special central police/paramilitary battalion for recruiting unemployed youths from the ENPO bloc, and for modernising the Village Guards. According to Chang, the Centre has accepted these two proposals.
The ENPO team today included representatives from the Eastern Nagaland Women’s Organisation, Phom People’s Council, Tikhir Tribal Council and Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation.
The ENPO’s original demand was for a separate state for the Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and more recently, Eastern Sumi, inhabiting the districts of Longleng, Mon, Tuensang, Shamator, Noklak and Kiphire.