Mathew Rongmei
The recent tripartite agreement between the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) has set off a lively discussion on social media. The agreement creates the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), an autonomous administrative arrangement aimed at addressing decades of neglect in eastern Nagaland.
Eastern Nagaland, comprising the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator, has long struggled with poor infrastructure, healthcare, education, and connectivity. The region has lagged behind the rest of Nagaland, leading to feelings of frustration and alienation. The FNTA is a response to these issues, offering executive, legislative, and financial autonomy to the region.
However, the agreement has also raised concerns that it may divide the Nagas, weaken the larger Naga political issue, and encourage similar demands even in politically turmoil Manipur. Some argue that creating a separate authority for eastern Nagaland could lead to administrative and psychological separation among Nagas, undermining the unity and integrity of the Naga people.
Others see the FNTA as a necessary step towards addressing the historical injustices faced by eastern Nagaland. They argue that autonomy can bring development and empowerment to the region, ultimately strengthening Naga unity. The agreement is a compromise, pausing the demand for a separate state while providing autonomy. It's a delicate balance between addressing regional grievances and maintaining state unity.
The success of the FNTA depends on how it's implemented and how Naga society responds to it. If used to address injustices and promote fairness, autonomy can be a powerful tool for building unity.
But if it creates new divisions or distracts from the larger Naga political issue, it may have unintended consequences.
It's up to the Naga people to ensure that autonomy serves the greater good and doesn't weaken the collective voice. As the saying goes, "A house is not weakened by strengthening one pillar, but by ignoring the cracks beneath it." The future of the larger Naga political issue depends on the collective wisdom of the Naga people.
