State expresses concern over possible introduction of new Article outside 371(A)
Following a state cabinet meeting held today, Nagaland Power Minister and Government Spokesperson KG Kenye addressed a press conference where he shared key concerns and deliberations over the proposed Frontier Naga Territory (FNT), stating that the issue remains “very intricate and very sensitive,” and requires cautious handling by the state.
The minister said the cabinet was made to understand that whatever entity is worked out with regard to FNT will be under Article 371(A) and that “there will be no bifurcation of the state.”
However, he pointed out that a suggestion reportedly made by people at the Centre hinted at a new Article being introduced to accommodate the new entity, a move the state wants to seek clarity on.
“In one corner of our deliberation today, more or less, it started implying that there will be a new article. It is supposed to be a suggestion made by people at the Centre. This is what we want to clarify,” the minister said.
The cabinet also discussed the implications of voting rights, ex-officio positions, and membership structure within the proposed regional council under FNT. According to the minister, the status of the new entity — whether it falls under Article 371(A) or under a new Article, such as 371(K) — would make “a whole lot of difference.”
“Suppose it becomes Article 371(K), for example, that would mean something out of Article 371(A) and the state would have nothing to do with it anymore,” he said. Adding that neither ENPO not ENLU asked for “coming out” of Article 371 (A), he said, “what we intend and what is actually taking place must match — otherwise it would be catastrophic.”
While areas such as judiciary, finance, and administration were also mentioned, calling it “minor”, he said, the core concern raised was whether giving the proposed entity a new Article would lead to bifurcation of the state, or bring Article 371(A) under parliamentary scrutiny again.
“We would not like Article 371(A) to go to the Parliament floor again,” the minister stated.
He acknowledged that there had been “huge suspicion” on the Centre’s intentions until the Nagaland state government was included as a third party in the ongoing dialogue process, turning the talks into a tripartite engagement between the Centre, ENPO, and the state.
“Just last year, Nagaland joined the tripartite talk. Before that, we were all as curious as you were,” the minister remarked.
He further emphasized that as a third party, the state must exercise caution, noting that “the whole thing falls under the state — whether east or west, north or south, the land is ours.”
He revealed that the cabinet had access to new documents only today, and that many “pertinent points came to light” for the first time. The state government, he said, has now decided to consider sending the entire cabinet to Delhi to seek further clarification from the Centre.
“We have thoroughly deliberated today. We have decided that, if possible, the entire cabinet must go to Delhi once. There are certain points we want to clarify,” he said.
Job reservation policy to be reviewed
In another major decision, the state cabinet has decided to review its 48-year-old job reservation policy amid growing demands from both backward and non-backward tribes.
“Five non-backward tribes currently occupy 64 per cent of government jobs, whereas ten backward tribes hold only 34 per cent,” Kenye said, citing official data.
While five major tribes have demanded a revision of the reservation system, the backward tribes have called for its continuation. To address this imbalance, the government will set up a Reservation Review Commission, headed by a retired senior government official.
The Commission will include representatives from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Department of Law and Justice, the Home Commissioner, and one representative each from the Central Nagaland Tribes Council, ENPO, and Tenyimi Union. The Commission is expected to submit its report within six months from the date of appointment.
Kenye also mentioned that implementation of any reforms may coincide with the caste-based census proposed by the Centre in January 2026.
ILP enforcement in border districts
On the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime, Kenye said the state has moved beyond relying solely on executive orders by operationalising a “comprehensive legal framework” under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
He highlighted the urgency of regulating migration in border districts such as Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland, where influxes have been reported following eviction drives in neighbouring Assam. A government sub-committee has been formed to classify migrant categories and devise enforcement strategies.
While acknowledging the proactive role of civil society organizations, village councils, and student bodies, Kenye cautioned them against vigilantism. “They must not take the law into their own hands but support law enforcement in regulating the ILP,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
