Mokokchung Times

05/09/2026

𝟔𝟐-𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐱 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐬


The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, provides for a 62-member regional authority with legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers over 46 subjects across the six districts of eastern Nagaland, while retaining several key powers with the State Government.

The FNTA will cover Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator.

Read more:

62-member authority to exercise legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers across six eastern districts   The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, provides for a 62-member regional authority with legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers over...

04/09/2026

𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒏𝒐𝒌𝒄𝒉𝒂 𝑮𝑯𝑺𝑺 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕; 𝑹𝒔 𝟏𝟎𝟏.𝟔𝟕 𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒉 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝑵𝑬𝑪

Ten government projects in Nagaland have been foreclosed and their funds surrendered amid prolonged delays, land disputes and other implementation hurdles, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Zeliang said some of the projects had remained incomplete despite being sanctioned years ago, with projects sanctioned in 2022, 2017 and even 2012 still facing delays.

The disclosure came during a discussion on delays in project implementation and the surrender of funds.

Advisor for SCERT and Food Processing Achumbemo Kikon raised concern over projects being delayed and eventually closed, pointing to the loss of development opportunities when sanctioned projects fail to take off within the required period.

Among the issues affecting implementation were bureaucratic delays, delays in preparation of Detailed Project Reports and technical approvals, problems involving contractors, compensation to landowners, landslides and law-and-order issues.

Kikon cited the example of a project involving conversion of a workshop into a bus station, night parking and market. Although funds had been sanctioned in 2016, work on the project only took off in October 2020.

He also referred to the infrastructure project at Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School, which had to be closed because of a landowner-related issue. Around Rs 101.67 lakh sanctioned for the project was subsequently refunded to the North Eastern Council.

Zeliang said landowner issues were among the major reasons for projects being foreclosed.

He said the State currently had a committed liability of around 11 per cent, adding that this needed to be brought below 5 per cent to enable Nagaland to secure additional projects and funds.

Foreclosure of projects was therefore also being used as a means of reducing the State’s committed liability, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the need for ministers and advisors to closely monitor projects to ensure timely implementation and prevent the surrender of sanctioned funds.
The discussion highlighted the gap between sanctioning of projects and their actual ex*****on, with administrative procedures, land-related disputes and other local-level issues continuing to delay the delivery of infrastructure.

The government’s response indicated that projects which cannot be implemented within the required period may ultimately have to be foreclosed, resulting in the surrender or refund of sanctioned funds.

Land dispute forces closure of Mayangnokcha GHSS project; Rs 101.67 lakh refunded to NEC Ten government projects in Nagaland have been foreclosed and their funds surrendered amid prolonged delays, land disputes and other implementation hurdles, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang told the Legislative A...

03/09/2026

(MTNews | 3 September): A section of the National Highway 702D (Mokokchung - Mariani) planned between X-Junction and Watiyim in Mokokchung has become the centre of a long-running dispute over where the highway should pass.
The issue is not about whether the road is needed. It is about which route should be built.
More than ₹1,000 crore is reportedly being invested in the highway project, and the Ao Senden is arguing that the government should choose an alignment that is technically sound, safe, economically viable and capable of supporting future expansion.
The organisation is currently pushing for Option-IV, a tunnel alignment. Its preferred alternative, Option-III, through British Road/Chungliyimsen, faces a separate hurdle: the Changki Village Council has not provided the No Objection Certificate (NOC) sought for the route.
If the NOC for Option-III cannot be obtained, the Ao Senden wants the government to consider the tunnel option rather than proceed with the existing alignment.
The issue has now received fresh backing from the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), which has endorsed the Ao Senden's position and urged the government to make the decision based on long-term public interest, technical feasibility, road safety, economic efficiency and future connectivity.

How did the dilemma begin?

The alignment question is not new. According to an internal memorandum circulated by the Ao Senden on August 28, five possible routes were initially considered for the X-Junction–Watiyim stretch.
At a meeting held in the office chamber of the Principal Secretary, Works & Housing, on September 16, 2021, Option-III and Option-IV were identified for recommendation to the State government.
The Ao Senden subsequently urged the Chief Minister to consider either of the two options. However, it said Changki Village Council declined to issue the NOC for Option-III.
The organisation then continued to approach State and Central authorities, including officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), over the alignment.
According to the memorandum...(Read the full report at mokokchungtimes.com)

03/09/2026

(MTNews | 3 September): The Working Committee (WC) of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has warned against attempts to undermine the Agreed Position and Status Paper through what it described as “petty MOUs”, asserting that Article 371(A) is the “only link” between the Union of India and the Naga people.
In a statement issued through its Media Cell, the WC, NNPGs said the Government of India must put a stop to attempts to go against the spirit and principles of the Agreed Position and Status Paper and its competencies through what it termed “petty MOUs”.
“WC, NNPGs will confront any force that aims to undermine the Agreed Position and Status Paper,” the statement said, adding that the Nagas have “never been kind to intruders and political bullies.”
The statement comes against the backdrop of a June 11 tripartite MoU between the Centre, Assam and Nagaland concerning oil and gas exploration in the Assam-Nagaland boundary areas. The WC, NNPGs did not identify any specific agreement as a “petty MOU”. However, its warning comes alongside its assertion that natural-resource exploration and extraction are covered by an understanding reached with the Government of India.
The group also said Article 371(A), which provides special constitutional safeguards for Nagaland and its inhabitants, must be viewed in the context of the political understanding reached between the Government of India and Naga representatives.
“It must be clearly understood by the Indian Government that Article 371(A) is the only link between the union of India and the Naga people,” the WC, NNPGs said.
It warned that any question of the temporary or permanent suspension, or complete demolition, of Article 371(A) would “deem Nagaland to a pre-statehood status”, in which case, it said, Nagaland and all Nagas would have the right to once again invoke the spirit of January 10, 1929, August 14, 1947 and May 16, 1951.
The statement also maintained that the Indo-Naga political negotiations between the Government of India and the WC, NNPGs had “successfully concluded”, pending an announcement by the Centre...(Read the full report at mokokchungtimes.com)

03/09/2026

(MTNews | 3 September): The first Nagaland State Judo Championship will be held at Eden Academy, Mokokchung, from September 10 to 12, with players from Zunheboto, Phek, Mon, Meluri, Dimapur, Peren, Kohima and Mokokchung set to participate.
The three-day championship is being organised by the Nagaland Judo Association (NJA) under the theme, “United by Judo, Driven by Excellence.”
The championship will have categories for boys and girls as well as men and women, covering sub-junior, junior and senior age groups across various weight categories.
Announcing the championship at a press conference on Thursday, NJA president I Temsu Jamir said the state-level meet would provide judokas from different parts of Nagaland an opportunity to compete against one another and gain competitive exposure.
NJA vice-president and tournament convenor Rongsentoshi Jamir and general secretary and tournament director Somnath Chakraborty were also present.
The host will provide lodging and fooding for all participating players during the championship, the association said.
The NJA was formed in 2019 with the objective of promoting judo and creating opportunities for young athletes to train and compete. Since then, it has conducted coaching programs, grading examinations, selection trials and competitions.
The association has also been trying to expand judo beyond a single centre and increase participation from different districts.
In 2023, the NJA organised a state-level judo tournament exclusively for women under the Khelo India Dus Ka Dum initiative.
The association has also been sending athletes for national-level exposure. In November 2025, it conducted an open selection trial for the Sub-Junior National Judo Championship 2025-26 in the presence of an official observer from the Judo Federation of India.
In August this year, two girls from Nagaland participated in the KV School National Judo Championship held in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, from August 29 to 31.
In 2026, the association also participated in the Northeast Japan Caravan, where its judokas conducted a judo demonstration at the State Academy Hall in Kohima

03/09/2026

(MTNews | 3 September): The protest by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) against the imposition of Vande Mataram at the Nagaland Assembly took a symbolic turn on Thursday, with protesters singing the Christian hymns at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly gate in Kohima.

The protesters gathered outside the Nagaland Legislative Assembly as part of the NSF’s opposition to the 'compulsory imposition of the revised Vande Mataram in government programs and official functions'.

Rather than raising slogans alone, the protesters joined in singing Christian Hymns describing the action as a “Democratic Singing Revolution.”

It may be noted that the federation has written a representation to the Chief Minister urging the Nagaland Government to facilitate a discussion in the Assembly and adopt a resolution opposing the compulsory singing, recital or playing of Vande Mataram during government programmes and official functions in the State in the ongoing NLA.

The Federation has also urged the government to ensure that the report of the Select Committee constituted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to examine the issue concerning Vande Mataram is tabled before the House at the earliest.

02/09/2026

The Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games (NOPG) 2026 will be held from November 2 to 14 at Chümoukedima and Dimapur, the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) announced on Wednesday, September 2.

The Games will feature nine disciplines: archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, pencak silat, taekwondo and wushu. All disciplines will have men’s and women’s categories except football, which will be contested only in the men’s category.

Games to feature nine disciplines, with contingents from all 17 districts The Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games (NOPG) 2026 will be held from November 2 to 14 at Chümoukedima and Dimapur, the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) announced on Wednesday, September 2. The Games will feature nine dis...

31/08/2026

(MTNews | 31 August): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) will hold a peaceful demonstration and solidarity march towards the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 1, opposing what it describes as the compulsory imposition of the revised Vande Mataram in government programs and official functions.
The march will coincide with the commencement of the ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
In a representation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the NSF urged the Nagaland Government to facilitate a discussion in the Assembly and adopt a resolution opposing the compulsory singing, recital or playing of Vande Mataram during government programmes and official functions in the State.
The Federation also urged the government to ensure that the report of the Select Committee constituted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to examine the issue concerning Vande Mataram is tabled before the House at the earliest.
The NSF said its objection was specifically to the compulsory singing, recital or imposition of Vande Mataram, and not to respecting the National Flag, National Anthem and other duly recognised national symbols of the country.
According to the Federation, the devotional and religious imagery associated with Vande Mataram may conflict with the conscience, faith and religious beliefs of citizens belonging to non-Hindu communities. It argued that participation in such activities should not be compulsory where it conflicts with an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs.
The NSF referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated January 28, 2026, concerning the playing, singing and popularisation of Vande Mataram, saying it had caused concern among the Naga people.
The Federation further claimed that Naga students had expressed opposition through peaceful non-participation in official programs, including at Nagaland University and during Independence Day celebrations in 2026.

31/08/2026

(MTNews | 31 August): An eye camp organised in Mongsenbai Ward, Mokokchung, on August 31 saw 220 people register, with around 50 residents examined by the time MT visited the camp.
The camp was conducted by ophthalmologist Dr Lipok and ophthalmic technician Temjentoshi and was sponsored personally by Mongsenbai MMC councillor Imlisanen.
Imlisanen said the camp was organised to help elderly residents who face difficulties accessing hospital care, particularly because of long queues at hospitals.
“There are lots of senior citizens in the colony,” he said, adding that eye problems were also common among older people. He said the camp was therefore organised to bring basic eye care closer to residents.
According to Imlisanen, expenditure on medicines including eye drops and vitamins is expected to be around Rs 60,000, while costs related to diagnosis and referrals will be separate.
Patients requiring further treatment were being referred to IMDH. Two patients had been referred for surgery by the time MT visited the camp, with Imlisanen saying he would personally sponsor their surgeries, which are expected to be conducted this week
Imlisanen said he intends to extend similar initiatives beyond senior citizens and eventually cover the wider colony in the future.
He also said the health camp was among the initiatives promised during his election campaign. On August 31, he also facilitated registration for CMMFI among youths, and senior citizens interested in livestock-related loans.

31/08/2026

(MTNews | 31 August): The Modern Aggregation Centre at Longnak, Mokokchung, was among three units virtually inaugurated by the Nagaland Government in June under the State-Assisted Scheme for Capital Investment (SASCI) V (2024-25) and PM Gati Shakti, according to a DIPR report.

The other two were the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs & Infrastructure Development at Ganeshnagar, Chumoukedima, and the Food Processing Incubation Centre at Tuensang.

But what will the centre actually mean for farmers?

Speaking to MT, General Manager, District Industries & Commerce, Mokokchung, B Asangla said the centre would undertake cleaning, sorting and processing of fruits and vegetables, with machinery installation now underway.

“If you bring your crops and sell it off to the Modern Aggregation Centre, you will get the price of your crops,” she said.

However, the exact modality of operation is still being worked out and could evolve as the project progresses, she added.

Asked about farmers from villages located farther from Longnak and whether the government would provide logistics and transportation, Asangla said the arrangements had not yet been finalised.

“We have not sorted out how to move on with the operation yet,” she said, adding that the project would come “step by step”.

The facility has since been decided to be handed over to a private entity, The Green Caravan.

Speaking to MT, Chairman of The Green Caravan Richard Belho said the centre was needed because Nagaland has been experiencing post-harvest wastage, while farmers have also faced logistical difficulties in getting their produce to markets.

He said the centre would focus on crops where farmers have surplus produce as well as produce that might otherwise be wasted.

Machinery installation has begun, he said, with the centre expected to process tomato, chilli, ginger, turmeric, soybean and tapioca, among other crops.

Tomatoes could be processed into pulp and different types of sauce, while chilli could be made into paste. Mustard oil production is also being considered.

Belho said tapioca could be particularly significant because its by-products...(Read the full report at mokokchungtimes.com)