CM Dr Neiphiu Rio inspecting the parade contingent during the 80th Independence Day celebration at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima on August 15. (DIPR Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 15
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to facilitating an early and honourable resolution to the decades-old Naga political issue, while also assuring full support for the operationalisation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) for Eastern Nagaland. Speaking at the 80th Independence Day celebration at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, Dr Rio highlighted recent consultative meetings and a February 2026 memorandum with the Centre and ENPO, and welcomed the Union Home Minister's move to constitute a ministerial-level committee to expedite peace talks.
“Our people yearn for an early solution to the political issue,” Dr Rio said in his address. He highlighted that the state government had convened a broad-based Consultative Meeting on the Naga Political Issue on September 12, 2024 which saw the participation of all stakeholders, including tribal hohos, civil society representatives, mass-based organizations, church bodies, NGOs, gazetted officers’ unions, student bodies, political parties and many others on the Naga Political Issue.
In the meeting, it was resolved to appeal to the Government of India to elevate the Naga Peace talks to the highest political level by appointing an interlocutor of political or ministerial level, who has the confidence and mandate of the government, he said.
Subsequently in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on September 1, 2025 at Kohima, the state government reiterated the resolution taken in the September 12, 2024 Consultative Meeting that the Peace talks be elevated to the political level in order to expedite the negotiation process.
Dr Rio stated that on February 5, 2026, he alongwith cabinet colleagues met Union Home Minister and on the lines of the resolution adopted in the Consultative Meeting held on September 12, 2024, it was reiterated to restore the talks to the highest political level by appointment of an interlocutor of political or ministerial level to expedite the talks and work towards realization of an early and honourable solution to the Naga political issue.
“As assured by the Union Home Minister in the meeting, a Committee under the Chairmanship of Minister of State for Home Affairs, Government of India has been recently constituted to lead the Naga peace talks,” Dr Rio said.
The CM expressed gratitude to Government of India for responding to the request of the people and civil societies for elevating the ongoing dialogue and peace process to the ministerial level by constituting the Committee.
“We look forward to the Government of India for reaching out further to all the negotiating parties with urgency and clarity for ensuring that everyone comes together to enable the Committee to commence its work in the right earnest in effectively fulfilling its mandate,” Dr Rio said.
For early operationalization of FNTA
Dr Rio assured of the State Government’s fullest cooperation and continued support for moving together with the Government of India and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for early constitution and operationalization of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) for Eastern Nagaland.
“We have always remained committed for the all-round progress of every community and region of our State. However, due to historical reasons and other challenges, our brothers and sisters from Eastern Nagaland continue to remain disadvantaged lagging behind in several development indices,” Dr Rio said.
He said that the state government wholeheartedly supported their desire for seeking an arrangement in the form of FNTA for Eastern Nagaland to enable them to fulfill their aspirations and help close the developmental deficits that they have historically suffered from.
The CM said that the Government of Nagaland had signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of India and the ENPO on February 5, 2026 for constitution of FNTA within the state of Nagaland.
“This historic agreement is a testament to our continued endeavours for ensuring equitable and inclusive development to all parts and regions of our State,” Dr Rio said and congratulated the people of Eastern Nagaland on such historic milestone.
