The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) has welcomed the tripartite agreement leading to the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), describing it as “a defining moment not only for the people of Eastern Nagaland but for the State of Nagaland as a whole.”
In a press release issued on Saturday, the CNCCI said it “welcomes and express strong support for the historic tripartite agreement” signed between the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), stating that the development has “resulted in the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).”While backing the agreement, the organisation said “the aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland were genuine, justified, and long overdue,” and maintained that “the issues that ultimately led to this agreement could have been addressed by the State Government much earlier through sincere engagement and decisive political action.” It added that “had timely measures been taken, years of hardship, underdevelopment, and socio-economic challenges faced by the eastern districts could have been avoided.”
Nevertheless, the CNCCI stated that “the present agreement represents a corrective and constructive step forward,” adding that it welcomed the development “in the larger interest of equity, justice, and balanced development.”
Expressing optimism over the region’s economic future, the organisation said it is “extremely happy to join the ENPO and the people of Eastern Nagaland in celebrating this landmark achievement,” and expressed confidence that “with enhanced administrative focus, equitable allocation of resources, and people-oriented local governance, economic progress and development in the FNTA region will accelerate rapidly.” It further stated that the FNTA could “emerge as a strong economic pillar of the State – an anchor of growth, a generator of employment, and a centre of opportunity.”
Describing the development as a “compelling testament to the power of unity, perseverance, and collective resolve,” the CNCCI said the ENPO’s “unwavering, disciplined, and peaceful pursuit” demonstrated the strength of united tribal movements and added that “the Naga people in general must draw important lessons from ENPO’s persistence and clarity of purpose.”
The organisation also appealed to ENPO leadership to “keep the flame of unity alive” and work towards “one united Tribal Body of Nagaland under common umbrella” to strengthen Naga solidarity and help resolve the Naga Political Issue.
At the same time, it cautioned that “while the creation of FNTA is historic, the absence of a comprehensive political settlement will continue to weigh heavily on Nagaland,” warning that without an early solution to the Naga Political Issue, “even landmark achievements such as FNTA risk being constrained in their full potential.”
Reiterating its stand, the CNCCI affirmed its “unwavering commitment to unity among Naga tribes, inclusive economic development, and all sincere efforts aimed at securing lasting peace, political stability, and shared prosperity for the Naga people.”
The press release was issued by CNCCI Chairman Dr Khekugha Muru.