KOHIMA: The Nagaland government on Tuesday, August 1, withdrew the earlier version of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill and introduced a revised Bill in the Assembly to establish a new administrative body for the eastern parts of the state.
The revised FNTA Bill, 2026, was tabled on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said it would be taken up for consideration and passage on Thursday, with members asked to submit amendments or seek clarifications by 2 pm on Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton first moved a motion to withdraw the earlier Bill, which had been deferred by the Assembly in March over concerns regarding the proposed authority’s powers and its constitutional and legal implications. He then sought leave to introduce the revised Bill.
The move followed a tripartite agreement signed in February between the Centre, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for the formation of the FNTA.
The proposed authority seeks to provide greater administrative autonomy to eastern Nagaland while addressing longstanding demands for development and improved governance. The ENPO represents eight tribes across six eastern districts—Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator—and had demanded a separate state since 2010, citing prolonged neglect.
The organisation later agreed to the Centre’s proposal for an autonomous administrative arrangement under the FNTA framework. The state government subsequently worked on a revised proposal following consultations with stakeholders after the earlier Bill was deferred.
Five other Bills were also introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday, including amendments to the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax Act, the Nagaland Town and Country Planning Act, the Nagaland Right to Public Services Bill and the Nagaland Paramedical Council (Repeal) Bill.
The Speaker said these Bills would also be taken up for consideration and passage on Thursday.
