Historic Agreement Establishes Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority
Formation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority
On Thursday, a significant tripartite agreement was signed by the Union government, the Nagaland state government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority.
This agreement, formalized in New Delhi, was signed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and representatives from the ENPO, creating an autonomous region within Nagaland.
The ENPO, which advocates for the interests of the state's underdeveloped hilly areas, has long sought a separate state, citing the economic disparities between eastern Nagaland and the rest of the state.
The organization has been pushing for the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority, which will encompass six districts: Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang.
In 2022, ENPO members engaged with the Union home minister, leading to the initiation of discussions for this agreement.
A momentous day for the people of Nagaland. Speaking on the signing of a historic agreement between GoI, Govt of Nagaland and representatives of Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO). https://t.co/OFQiNQ6mjV
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 5, 2026
During the agreement signing, Shah announced that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs would provide financial support and assistance to the new territorial authority.
Shah remarked that since the formation of Nagaland, residents of eastern Nagaland felt marginalized, but the recent negotiations have yielded positive results.
He noted that officials from the home ministry had acted as intermediaries between the ENPO and the Nagaland government, indicating that the longstanding conflict is approaching resolution.
Shah emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating that both the ENPO and the Nagaland government had successfully brought the discussions to fruition, and he expressed gratitude to the chief minister and his team.
The ENPO had previously urged voters in the six districts to abstain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, following a similar call during the previous Assembly elections.
In a social media update, the Union home minister described the day as historic for the people of Nagaland.
According to Nagaland’s public relations department, Chief Minister Rio expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for their backing throughout the negotiation process, as well as to the officials from both the Union home ministry and the ENPO for their collaboration.
I am happy to announce that today, 5th Feb 2026, the Govt. of Nagaland signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Govt. of India and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation for the formation of the ‘Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority’ within the State of Nagaland.” pic.twitter.com/xbfVbluj31
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) February 5, 2026