Concluding the discussion, Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio said the State’s improved security situation no longer warranted continuation of the PAP regime in its existing form, stressing that the restrictions were affecting tourism, investment, international partnerships and opportunities for the youth.

Rio highlighted the growth of the Hornbill Festival, with footfall rising from over 28,000 in 2010 to more than 2.14 lakh in 2025. He also pointed to Nagaland’s low crime rates and proposed a technology-driven system for registering and monitoring foreign visitors while maintaining national security safeguards.

Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton moved the resolution, which was supported by members including Minister Temjen Imna Along and MLA Hekani Jakhalu. Jakhalu said the PAP could reinforce negative perceptions about Nagaland and discourage investors, warning that the State’s youth should not “miss the bus” of India’s growth story.

The Assembly assured the Centre of its cooperation in maintaining national security and monitoring foreign nationals, while appealing for regulatory arrangements that facilitate tourism, investment, cultural exchange, employment and greater participation of Nagaland in the national and global economy.

The post NAGALAND ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY URGES CENTRE TO WITHDRAW PROTECTED AREA PERMIT REGIME first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Concluding the discussion on the Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Rio said historical factors, geographical challenges and limited resources had contributed to the region lagging behind other parts of the State. The proposed FNTA will cover Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator districts and provide decentralised regional governance within Nagaland.

Rio said the revised Bill was prepared following the February 5, 2026 Memorandum of Agreement and consultations with the Ministry of Home Affairs, ENPO, ENLU and other stakeholders. He assured that Article 371(A) of the Constitution would remain inviolable and its safeguards would not be diluted.

Under the proposed arrangement, the FNTA will receive State funds based on population and area, while Special Development Grants are expected from the Government of India. Rio said the Authority would prepare annual development plans for subjects under its control, helping bring governance closer to people in remote areas.

Describing the legislation as more than an administrative arrangement, Rio said it reaffirmed the collective commitment to equitable development, unity and progress for all sections of the people and commended the Bill to the House for consideration and passage.

The post RIO SAYS FNTA BILL REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT IN EASTERN NAGALAND first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Speaking during the discussion on the Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Kikon recalled the special provisions granted to the Tuensang region under the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 and drew parallels with the proposed 10-year FNTA arrangement. He stressed that the region’s developmental challenges were linked largely to geographical distance and inadequate communication rather than being inherently “backward.”

Kikon maintained that the FNTA should not be viewed as a division of the Naga people and said it should not affect the ongoing Naga political peace process. Calling the arrangement a “second opportunity” for Eastern Nagaland, he urged its leaders to use the authority judiciously and ensure that development reaches the people.

He also credited Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio’s consistent leadership on the issue and said the earlier Bill could not be passed due to legal hurdles. Kikon expressed hope that the new arrangement would help Eastern Nagaland “see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The post KIKON BACKS FNTA BILL, SAYS EASTERN NAGALAND MUST MAKE BEST USE OF “SECOND OPPORTUNITY” first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Speaking during the discussion on the FNTA Bill, 2026, in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Yhome described the occasion as “momentous” and said the new arrangement provided an opportunity to address historical developmental disparities. He, however, cautioned that political restructuring alone would not guarantee development without adequate resources and efficient financial management.

Yhome highlighted the need to ensure compliance to access central funds, citing unutilised and returned allocations under various schemes. He also called for increased capital investment in healthcare, education, roads and banking infrastructure, along with stronger digital monitoring systems to improve accountability and prevent the loss or inefficient use of public resources.

He stressed that the success of the FNTA would ultimately depend on effective management of financial, human and natural resources and the government’s ability to deliver essential infrastructure and services on the ground.

The post YHOME CALLS FOR FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE, STRONGER COMPLIANCE UNDER FNTA first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Speaking during the discussion on the amended FNTA Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Along said he felt “very humbly but proud” to witness the development during the ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He congratulated the people of the six eastern districts and acknowledged the Konyak, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Tikhir, Chang and Phom communities, along with the presence of the Sumi community in the region.

Along credited Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio for his sustained leadership in pursuing the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland, noting that the issue had been taken up with the Government of India around a decade and a half ago. He said Rio had demonstrated political maturity and steadiness despite periods of uncertainty and differing opinions surrounding the proposed arrangement.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their commitment towards addressing developmental concerns in Nagaland. He said the FNTA would provide an opportunity to accelerate development in Eastern Nagaland and advance the aspirations of its people.

Supporting the formation of the FNTA, Along called for unity, peace and collective participation in the development process. He urged the people to continue working and aspiring together for the larger interests of Nagaland, stressing that the journey towards fulfilling the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland should remain inclusive and free from division.

The post TEMJEN IMNA ALONG BACKS FNTA BILL, HAILS HISTORIC MOMENT FOR EASTERN NAGALAND first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Participating in the discussion on the Bill in the Assembly, the three MLAs emphasised that the FNTA was not intended to divide the State but to promote greater equity, decentralised governance and balanced development. Seb described the Bill as an “instrument of equity,” asserting that the six eastern districts would remain an inseparable part of Nagaland, while Yimchunger termed the FNTA a “special institutional arrangement within Nagaland” aimed at addressing the aspirations of the region.

Yimchunger also highlighted the tripartite Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, between the Government of India, Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), saying it formed the foundation of the legislation. Meanwhile, Sema stressed the need for greater focus on roads, healthcare, education, drinking water, electricity, communication, livelihoods and employment opportunities.

The MLAs maintained that addressing regional disparities would strengthen rather than weaken Naga unity. They called for support to the Bill, stressing that balanced development and economic justice were essential for building a more united and inclusive Nagaland.

The post MLAs BACK FNTA BILL, CALL IT INSTRUMENT FOR EQUITY, UNITY AND BALANCED DEVELOPMENT first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Speaking during the discussion on the Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sethrongkyu said the demand for the FNTA, comprising Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator districts, has been pursued by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for more than 15 years.

Sethrongkyu clarified that the FNTA is not a separation from Nagaland but an integral part of the state, and expressed appreciation to the Central and State governments as well as Naga tribal bodies, student organisations, churches and civil society groups for their support.

Referring to the February 5, 2026 Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and the ENPO, he expressed hope that the FNTA would usher in a new chapter of development in Eastern Nagaland and contribute to the overall progress of Nagaland. He also appealed for continued unity, understanding and goodwill among the people of the state.

The post SETHRONGKYU BACKS FNTA BILL, CALLS IT NEW FOUNDATION FOR EASTERN NAGALAND’S DEVELOPMENT first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Making a statement in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Patton said the incidents involved a confrontation over the movement of a vehicle carrying rubber saplings to Longayim village and the subsequent alleged assault of local village leaders. He said the situation was brought under control following intervention by officials from both Nagaland and Assam.

Patton said the Wokha and Golaghat administrations have agreed to activate the Border Level Peace Committee to strengthen coordination and prevent further incidents. He also assured the Assembly that the State Government is continuously monitoring the DAB and will ensure that any future eviction or plantation activities are carried out through proper coordination between Nagaland and Assam authorities.

He further said the Gauhati High Court had, on August 18, 2026, granted a further 60-day extension to 59 households facing eviction from the disputed area. The situation, he said, is currently under control.

The post NAGALAND CLOSELY MONITORING MEKIRANG-NEGHREBIL BORDER INCIDENT: PATTON first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima on Thursday, September 3, NSF president Mteisuding Heraang said the federation’s two-day agitation had been successful. He said the NSF had received a letter from the state government informing that a committee had been constituted to examine the issue from the legal perspective, but maintained that the Government of India’s August 6, 2026 notification provided for compulsory singing of Vande Mataram during formal government programmes.

Heraang said the NSF’s opposition was based on what it described as religious elements in the lyrics that conflict with the Christian faith of the Naga people. As part of its next phase of agitation, the NSF has directed its federating units, subordinate bodies and educational institutions to refrain from inviting the Governor of Nagaland to formal programmes, stating that the decision was aimed at avoiding situations where Vande Mataram is played under official protocol and was not a personal opposition to the Governor.

The NSF president said the federation would continue its agitation until the state government takes a definitive stand through a resolution or Bill in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He also appealed to civil society and tribal organisations to consider a similar position and warned that the NSF would intensify its democratic agitation in the coming days.

The post NSF VOWS INTENSIFIED AGITATION AGAINST COMPULSORY VANDE MATARAM first appeared on Nagaland News Network.

Addressing the media, NSF President Mteisuding said the Naga people would not accept the move and appealed to the public to stand up for their rights and faith. He expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to take a decision on the matter during the first day of the Assembly session, but said the federation remained hopeful that the issue would be discussed and the concerns of the people addressed.

Describing the protest as a “singing revolution,” Mteisuding said the agitation was a democratic expression of opposition. He warned that if the government failed to respond to the concerns raised, the NSF would consider intensifying its movement in the coming days. The federation, he added, would continue to monitor developments during the ongoing Assembly session.

The post NSF CONTINUES AGITATION OUTSIDE ASSEMBLY, WARNS OF INTENSIFIED MOVEMENT first appeared on Nagaland News Network.