A group of women participated in a public rally held in Tuensang in 2022 to demand the Frontier Nagaland Territory. (Morung file Photo)
Public sentiment mixed on whether the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority will bring meaningful development to Eastern Nagaland
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 12
A public opinion poll on whether the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) will deliver meaningful development to Eastern Nagaland has thrown up divided views, with uncertainty about corruption and leadership outweighing optimism among respondents.
Of the several responses collected across different platforms of The Morung Express, 36% said they did not believe FNTA would bring meaningful change, 19% said they were hopeful it would, while 45% gave conditional or non-committal answers, tying the outcome largely to leadership integrity and fund utilisation.
Those opposed to the idea that FNTA would succeed cited entrenched corruption and elite capture as the biggest threats. “A big no. This looks more like a trap than a genuine solution,” one respondent said, while another remarked, “New funds with the same hands.”
Several respondents drew parallels with existing bodies seen as having failed to deliver. “FNTA and DUDA are the same. I see nothing new,” said one participant, referring to an existing development body. Another wrote, “Old wine in a new bottle. The ATM card is with them. Therefore, back to square one.”
Concerns about elite enrichment at the cost of ordinary citizens featured prominently. “The development money will go to a few leaders' pockets, and the rest will regret supporting it,” one respondent said.
A number of respondents also raised concern over the risk of internal division among the six districts that make up the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) region. “It will escalate problems among themselves,” said one respondent, while another cautioned, “Just hope that there is no division among the 6 districts again because of ism.”
Among the 19% who expressed optimism, most conditioned their hope on honest and accountable leadership. “The development of eastern Nagaland depends on the leadership. If they are capable and carry out their work with accountability and transparency, without any loopholes, development will be delivered meaningfully,” one said.
Others pointed to the scale of central funding as grounds for hope. “Of course yes, with 10,000 crore for 6 districts. However, it depends on how they utilise the funds for their own districts,” a respondent noted. Another said the region's education levels would work in its favour: “Eastern Nagas are the most educated people in Nagaland so far. They are skilled and innovative, and as funds are at their disposal, much focus will be on education infrastructure.”
Some respondents framed the moment in emotional terms, describing FNTA as the culmination of a long political struggle. “After fighting for so long for FNTA, I sincerely hope that our representatives and elected members will utilise this opportunity wisely,” one said.
The largest share of respondents gave answers that neither endorsed nor rejected FNTA outright, instead stressing that outcomes would hinge on factors such as leadership selection, fund utilisation and political will. “Development or no development depends on the good wisdom of their own people and leaders,” one respondent said. Another cautioned that implementation, not the legislation itself, would determine success: “It is not simply in passing the Bill. More important is how it will be implemented.”
Across all three categories, respondents called for unity and patience, while urging fellow Nagas to avoid pre-judging the authority. “Let us hope and pray it does. We cannot predict the future anyway,” one respondent said.
