Kohima, August 7: The Nagaland government on Wednesday strongly opposed the Centre’s proposal to grant a separate constitutional provision, potentially under Article 370 for the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), calling it a move that would “amount to territorial bifurcation of the state”.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima following the state cabinet meeting, Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs and Government Spokesperson K G Kenye said that while the state supports the demand for administrative, financial, and judicial autonomy for the Eastern region, it is firmly against the creation of any separate political identity that severs its constitutional and territorial link with Nagaland.

Kenye said the Centre’s proposal to place the FNTA under a new constitutional article, akin to Article 370, has raised serious concerns. Instead, he said, the state government proposes an arrangement under Article 371A, similar to the autonomous councils in Assam under Article 371B.

A Nagaland Cabinet delegation is scheduled to visit New Delhi after Independence Day to present the state’s stand before the Union Home Ministry, Kenye said.