New Delhi: The Centre Thursday signed a tripartite agreement with the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation for the formation of 'Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority', a long-standing demand for a new administrative body within the state aimed at addressing the demands of eastern Nagaland, PTI reported.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who said the Centre will extend all help and fulfil all its responsibilities for the development of eastern Nagaland.
The ENPO, the apex body representing eight tribes across six eastern districts of the state, has been demanding a separate state since 2010, alleging decades of neglect. It was later agreed to the Centre's proposal for a certain degree of autonomy under the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) framework.
The MoU aims to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority for the focused development and governance of eastern Nagaland, which covers six districts - Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang.
There should be no doubt on the Nagaland and central governments, and every year an amount will be decided and released, the home minister said, adding initial expenses for the establishment shall be borne by the Union home ministry.
Rio said this agreement "reflects mutual trust, addresses the aspirations of eastern Nagaland and the state at large, and reaches out to take development to every doorstep".
"Through this MoU, the local demands and aspirations of the area will be met. And this MoU will enable us to conclude the long drawn negotiations," Home Secretary Govind Mohan said earlier.