Dimapur, May 31 (MExN): Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National Secretary S Richard Humtsoe on May 31 urged the Government of India, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) to engage in a high-level consultative process to address concerns surrounding the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
In a statement, Humtsoe said the concerns raised by ENPO regarding the implementation of the agreement deserved "serious and sincere attention" from all stakeholders.
He said the signing of the MoA on February 5, 2026, marked a significant milestone in addressing the long-standing aspirations of the people of Eastern Nagaland through democratic and constitutional means.
"Any agreement reached after years of negotiations carries with it a moral and political responsibility on all parties to uphold both the spirit and the letter of the understanding," he said.
Humtsoe maintained that differences arising from legal interpretations or administrative concerns should be addressed through dialogue and institutional consultation rather than public confrontation.
Stating that the people of Eastern Nagaland and Nagaland as a whole deserved clarity and a clear roadmap for implementation, he called on all parties to resolve outstanding issues through constructive engagement.
He further said that any ambiguity regarding legislative, executive and financial autonomy under the FNTA framework should be addressed transparently and in good faith, keeping in mind the commitments made during the negotiation process.
The LJP leader said the aspirations of Eastern Nagaland reflected decades of developmental concerns, governance challenges and a desire for greater participation in decision-making processes.
He stressed that every effort should be made to ensure that the implementation process remains faithful to the objectives for which the agreement was conceived.
Humtsoe also said a durable solution could emerge only when trust was preserved among all parties. He urged the Nagaland government to reassure the people of Eastern Nagaland of its commitment to the agreement, while calling on ENPO and other stakeholders to continue pursuing their objectives through peaceful and democratic means.
"The FNTA issue should not become a source of division among the people of Nagaland. Instead, it should serve as an opportunity to strengthen inclusive governance, balanced regional development and lasting peace," he said.
Humtsoe appealed to all stakeholders to act with wisdom and responsibility to ensure that the aspirations of the people are fulfilled and that the promises of the MoA translate into tangible progress on the ground.
