KOHIMA, March 2: Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday reaffirmed the Nagaland government’s commitment to a peaceful and early settlement of the long-pending Naga political issue, while announcing that special legislation would soon be moved for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

Delivering his maiden address during the Eighth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly at Kohima, the governor stated that the government remains steadfast in facilitating efforts toward an honourable solution to the Naga political issue.

“My government remains committed to the peaceful settlement of the Naga political issue,” he said, adding that the state government has constituted a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) comprising all ministers, elected members representing all tribes, representatives of all political parties, and Members of Parliament from the state to give impetus to efforts aimed at achieving an early solution.

He informed the House that the PAC has been reviewing major issues related to the Naga political issue and has constituted a sub-committee to strengthen engagement. The governor further disclosed that the chief minister, along with Cabinet colleagues and members of the PAC sub-committee, recently met the Union Home Minister and requested the elevation of the ongoing dialogue and peace process through the appointment of an interlocutor at the political or ministerial level to expedite talks and work toward an early and honourable settlement.

Referring to developments in Eastern Nagaland, Bhalla said that on February 5, 2026, the Government of Nagaland signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of India and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation for the constitution of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority within the state.

Describing the agreement as a testament to the government’s commitment to equitable and inclusive development in Eastern Nagaland, he congratulated the people of the region on what he termed a “momentous milestone.” He expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its guidance and support in facilitating the signing of the agreement.

Bhalla said the state government is working to constitute the interim council for FNTA in consultation with ENPO and the tribal hohos of Eastern Nagaland. He added that the government will soon move special legislation for the formal constitution of FNTA, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, as provided under the MoA.

Highlighting another major administrative exercise, the governor spoke about the forthcoming Census. He noted that the central government formally notified India’s decennial Census on June 16, 2025. Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases — the house listing and housing census, followed by population enumeration in February 2027.

In Nagaland, the first phase will be conducted from July 1 to July 30, 2026, while the option for self-enumeration will be available from June 16 to June 30, 2026.

Bhalla urged members of the House to extend full cooperation to the state administrative machinery and guide all stakeholders to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the Census exercise in Nagaland.