Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) agreement aims to prove the Union government’s broader narrative of a dispute-free and developed Northeast. The agreement, reached after years of negotiations with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation and the Nagaland government, is being projected as another milestone in a region long troubled by political discontent, insurgency, and administrative neglect.
There is no denying that Eastern Nagaland has carried a sense of historical grievance since the formation of the state. Issues of underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, and perceived exclusion have shaped public sentiment for decades. In that context, the assurance of financial autonomy, enhanced decision-making, and the transfer of powers over 46 subjects to the FNTA represents a major political response. The proposed mini-Secretariat, population-based development outlay, and joint responsibility of the Centre and the state signal intent to address these long-standing concerns.
Amit Shah’s assertion that agreements under the present government are carried out in letter and spirit responds to a common criticism of past accords that promised much but delivered little. The assurance of annual funding and initial establishment costs by the Ministry of Home Affairs is an important test of that claim.
At the same time, history urges caution. The Northeast has seen several agreements whose full contours remained opaque, breeding uncertainty and mistrust. As with the Framework Agreement with the NSCN-IM when it was signed in 2015, the FNTA agreement has not yet been placed in the public domain. While the signatories may have their reasons, transparency matters. Public scrutiny is essential not only for accountability but also for building confidence among the people most affected.
The FNTA arrangement does not alter Article 371(A), which should reassure those concerned about constitutional safeguards. The reported provision for a review after ten years also leaves room for course correction. Ultimately, history will judge whether this agreement becomes a turning point or another missed opportunity.
For now, expectations are high in Eastern Nagaland. The real measure of success will lie not in declarations, but in visible development, responsive governance, and the restoration of trust.