Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to resolving the Naga political issue, addressing the development needs of Eastern Nagaland, strengthening border security with sensitivity to local communities, and accelerating infrastructure and social sector growth.
While addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, he said the government is working in the spirit of the Constitution to meet the democratic aspirations of the people and urged citizens to reflect on Nagaland’s strength, resilience and cultural heritage.
The celebration began with Dr. Rio hoisting the National Flag, taking the Rashtriya Salute, and inspecting the parade.
“Nagaland, with its rich tapestry of culture and traditions, has always stood tall in its contribution to the spirit of the Indian nation—steadfast in its values, vibrant in its diversity, and strong in its resolve to move forward with peace and progress,” he said.
Naga political issue and Eastern Nagaland concerns
Calling the Naga political issue a top priority of his government, Dr. Rio said his government continues to be an active facilitator in the ongoing peace process, aiming for a lasting solution that ensures justice and dignity to the people
Reiterating the commitment of the Government in addressing the issues of Eastern Nagaland, he said that his government remains strongly committed in addressing that there exists a development deficit in these areas.
On the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) demand, he cited substantial progress following the July 23, 2025 tripartite talks in Delhi between the Centre, the state government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO). He expressed optimism that ENPO’s concerns would soon be resolved.
Indo-Myanmar border and Disputed Area Belt
In regards to Nagaland sharing 215 kms international boundary with Myanmar, across which Nagas reside on both sides having close socio-cultural and economic ties, Dr Rio voiced concern over the Union Home Ministry’s recent decision to reduce the Free Movement Regime (FMR) from 16 km to 10 km and restrict movement to only nine designated points, saying it has caused hardship to border communities. He urged the Centre to re-examine the guidelines with a “flexible, context-sensitive approach.”
He highlighted that on February 8, 2024, the state Cabinet deliberated on the proposal of the MHA for fencing the Indo-Myanmar border whereby the Cabinet had requested continuation of the FMR while enacting proper regulations for border movement of people inhabiting the border areas.
On July 18, 2025, Dr Rio had led a delegation of ministers from the state and met Union Home Minister on the issue.
Highlighting that the eviction exercise being carried out in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) area along the border has raised deep anxiety among various sections of the society, Dr Rio noted that eviction drives in the DAB with Assam are being carried out jointly involving district administration and police from both the states, to ensure that no unilateral action is initiated, status quo is maintained and no influx of illegal migrant takes place.
Governance and ILP Digitisation
Highlighting the governance reforms, he said a significant milestone was achieved on January 1, 2025 with the complete digitization of the ILP issuance process. He said the state Government launched the online ILP portal, offering digital platform for the application processing, tracking and approval of ILPs across various visitor categories. He maintained that the total ILP issued in online mode from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 stands at 26,534 for various categories.
He further maintained that the Cabinet on May 15, 2025 had decided that a separate Register for ILP holders residing in village would be maintained by respective village council and strict ILP checking to be done by the District Administration and Police in all designated places and check gates of the State including Airport and Railway Station. Further, the State Cabinet on August 6 decided to introduce new category of ILP for agricultural labour, transporters, non-teaching staffs of Schools or Colleges, domestic helpers and drivers while hotels, guest house, resorts and homestay were to inform the nearest Police Station mandatorily on arrival of the guest or tenants from other State.
Healthcare Achievements
On the government’s commitment to “Good Health and Wellbeing”, Dr Rio stated that there has been notable progress in the health sector. He cited that the infant mortality rate had dropped from 18 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 4 in 2020, reducing the burden of tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.
He said these achievements reflect positively on the socio-economic well-being and commitment to improving healthcare. He also mentioned that the department has made significant strides in their pursuit of Universal Health Coverage.
He disclosed that under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, 98,761 treatments worth ₹182.98 crore have been provided since 2018, while the CM Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) has delivered 30,266 treatments worth ₹120.42 crore since 2022, underscoring the commitment to reduce burden of Out-of-Pocket-Expenditure on medical treatment and promote access to quality healthcare services. The state has also set up the Nagaland State Drugs Testing Laboratory in Kohima to curb circulation of substandard medicines and to enhance drug regulation, he added.
Education and Youth Development
Reiterating the commitment of School Education Department to quality education, Dr Rio announced that Science Streams have been introduced in five Government Higher Secondary Schools. During 2024-25 under school infrastructure four (4) new school buildings, one Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Aawasiya Vidyala residential hostel at Kiphire and 2 residential quarters have been completed.
He also stated that ICT Smart Classroom Program is being implemented in 41 GMS and under NIPUN BHARAT Mission, steps have been taken to digitise the assessment of every child.
Under the NECTAR Project, 16 Lighthouse School Complexes are being developed to serve model schools, and on August 2, he inaugurated 51 educational projects, including 15 new schools worth ₹33.86 crore under Samagra Shiksha.
Dr Neiphiu Rio also highlighted that the Department of Higher Education under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) program is constructing Academic Buildings at Government Colleges of Zunheboto, Mokokchung and Dimapur. New Model Degree Colleges for the newly created Districts of Niuland, Shamator, Noklak and Tseminyu Districts have been approved. The NAAC accreditation of 39 colleges out of 71 Institutions in Nagaland has been completed.
On the sports front and youth activities, Dr Rio informed that the Government of Nagaland, through the Department of Youth Resources and Sports hosted the inaugural Nagaland Super League, the first-ever professional football league in the State from January 28 to April 1, 2025. He highlighted that at the event, three major initiatives – Nagaland Football Academy, the Chief Minister’s Sports Scholarships and Nagaland International Gold Cup were announced in order to nurture local talent and promote sports.
He also stated that 31 Multi-Disciplinary Indoor Stadiums and 28 Futsal Grounds have been sanctioned under SASCI during this financial year out of which 3 Pre-Fab Multipurpose Hall and 13 Futsal grounds have been inaugurated on August 2 and the rest will be made functional by the end of this financial year.
He disclosed that four more Multipurpose indoor stadiums are under construction under the Khelo India Scheme. Further, the Centre for Excellence in Music and Arts (CEMA), conceptualized to encourage and promote music and arts at National and International level, while conserving the age-old traditional music and art was inaugurated on December 1, 2024.
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Infrastructure and Connectivity
Dr Rio stated that the government is committed to improve road network in the State and the Department of Road & Bridges has taken many initiatives. Under Inter-State Connectivity Scheme, upgradation to 2 Lane from Dhobinalla Junction to Diphu and construction of 2-lane Interstate connectivity from Chizami to Lai (Manipur) has been completed. Further, under NESIDS, 4 projects amounting to Rs. 212.33 Crore covering a total length of 63.5 Km have been completed. To ensure rural connectivity, under PMGSY, 75.20 km of road length have been completed. Under Special Assistance to States for Capital Infrastructure Expenditure, 30 nos. of Road projects costing Rs. 322.38 Crores is under progress.
He further mentioned that the PWD National Highways is also taking up widening of 2-Lane/ strengthening on NH 61 (New NH 2) for a total length of 126.60 Km on various sections out of which 58 Km is completed. Further rehabilitation of Dimapur Road Overbridge between Tragopan junction and Burma camp on NH-29 has been completed.
The CM highlighted that the Nagaland State Transport Department will be establishing 10 new Helipads and up-gradation of 4 existing Helipads will be done to enhance helicopter service connectivity in Nagaland. Construction of Inter-State Truck Terminus along NH-29 at Chumoukedima under MoDoNER has been approved.
Law and Order
Dr Rio said that the Government has always paid utmost importance to maintenance of law and order in the State. The overall law and order situation in the State remains largely stable and under control, with no major disturbances reported across districts made possible by the concerted efforts of the Civil Administration, State Police and Security Forces, he said adding this is in large measure has been due to the dedicated surveillance, timely intelligence gathering, and proactive co-ordination with national security agencies by the State Police. In the continued War on Drugs, Nagaland Police has recently seized 13 kgs of Heroin and 7 Kgs of Brown Sugar amounting to Rs 81.50 Crore, he further said..
Celebrations and Cultural Showcase
The program witnessed March Past from Parade contingents of 13 Assam Rifles Bn , 78th Bn CRPF , 105 Bn BSF , DEF Kohima , 4th NAP Bn , 10th NAP ( IR) Bn , 15th NAP ( IR) Manila Bn , Mizoram Police Contingent, Ex Servicemen , Home Guards & Civil Defense & SDRF , 24th Nagaland (1) Coy NCC Kohima , 1st Nagaland Girls Battalion Kohima , Mezhür Higher Secondary School , 13 Assam Rifles Pipe Band , NPTS Brass Band , Nagaland Police 15th NAP( IR) Mahila Pipe Band and Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass band .
The parade commander was S Lanu Aier , NPS Dy. Commandant 10th NAP and second in Command was Kmr Mhalezhunuo Chielie, NPS Assistant Commandant , 8th NAP attached to Cyber Crime PS PHQ.
Performance by 13 Assam Rifles Pipe Band followed by Hostage Recovery Demonstration ( Bus Intervention Scenario) was displayed by NAP Rangers , Nagaland police .
Chief Minister Dr Rio also inaugurated commissioning of waste collection and transportation vehicles to 20 ULBs Swachh Bharat Kosh and virtual inauguration of Bio Fertilizer Production Units was also done .
Imna Yanden , 1st NAP , Nagaland Police also performed “ Vande Mataram “ and “ We love Nagaland “ . Cultural presentation was also displayed by the Khiamniungan Cultural Club Kohima , Konyak Dancing Troupe Kohima , Pochury Cultural Troupe , Sangtam women cultural troupe and Benreu Students Union Cultural Troupe .
