Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 26. (Photo Courtesy: X)
Dimapur, October 26 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and thanked him for the Centre’s support in facilitating the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) process, which culminated in presidential assent to the FNTA Bill 2026.
In a post on X, Rio said the two leaders also discussed the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime and key issues concerning Nagaland, and he expressed gratitude for Shah’s “assurance to address PAP relaxation.”
The meeting comes days after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the FNTA Bill, which was unanimously passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 3, 2026.
In a separate post, Rajya Sabha member S Phangnon Konyak also expressed profound gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying his “astute and decisive leadership” has been instrumental in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland.
Konyak, speaking on behalf of the people of Eastern Nagaland, said the people look forward to Shah’s continued guidance as “a new day dawns for FNTA.”
“Your astute and decisive leadership has been instrumental in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland,” she said. “The people look forward to your continued guidance as a new day dawns for FNTA,” she added.
The FNTA seeks to address the long-standing demand for greater autonomy and development in the eastern districts of Nagaland. The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has spearheaded the demand for a separate administrative arrangement for six eastern districts, Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator, citing concerns over development, governance and regional disparities.
The PAP regime regulates the entry of foreign nationals into designated protected areas, including parts of Nagaland. Any relaxation could affect tourism, foreign visitor access and the movement of international visitors in the state.
The Nagaland Assembly had earlier unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to review and withdraw the PAP regime, citing its adverse impact on tourism and international engagement.
