Preparations underway for creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory: Min Jacob Zhimomi informs Northeast Live

By Sarah Konyak

Nagaland BJP leader and a minister in the Neiphiu Rio cabinet, Jacob Zhimomi today informed that preparations for the creation of a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) is underway.

Zhimomi speaking to Northeast Live on the matter informed,”Preparations are on the process, so government will share with the public when it is fully prepared.”

However, he refused to divulge further details into the matter.

Jacob Zhimomi was a part of the delegation led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss on the issue.

This indeed is a big statement since the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) which is the apex body of 7 tribes representing the Eastern part of the state has already welcomed the Centre’s proposal to create an autonomous council by including 6 districts.

Zhimomi emphasized on the need to take a collective decision on ENPO’s proposal to include Eastern Sumis in the Frontier Naga Territory. He said,”We have discussed the issue and these are issues which will be taken collectively. However, I think there should not be any issues which will disintegrate the Eastern Sumis from the ENPO.”

Reports quoting the ENPO mentioned that the Centre has offered the formation of Frontier Naga Territory with legislative, executive, administration, and financial autonomy.

If sources are to be believed, the ENPO had decided to invite different stakeholders including Sumis of Kiphire and Shamator districts for a joint co-ordination meet to discuss on the inclusion or exclusion of the Sumi community in the Eastern Districts Autonomous Council.

The 7 tribes from Eastern Nagaland are Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, and Yimkhiung.

On July 5, a 12-member Naga delegation, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss on the future course of action as far as creation of a Frontier Nagaland Territory is concerned.

The decision to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah was a fallout of a cabinet meeting chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on June 28.