Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Saturday reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to facilitating an early, honourable and acceptable solution to the longstanding Naga political issue, while highlighting major initiatives in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and disaster management.
Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebration at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima, Rio said the people of Nagaland continued to yearn for an early resolution to the Naga political issue. He recalled the broad-based Consultative Meeting held on September 12, 2024, which brought together tribal hohos, civil society organisations, churches, student bodies, political parties and other stakeholders.
Welcoming the recent constitution of a committee headed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Government of India, to lead the Naga peace talks, Rio expressed gratitude to the Centre for responding to the request of the people and civil society to elevate the ongoing dialogue to the ministerial level.
He reiterated that the State Government would continue to act as an active facilitator in the peace process towards an early, honourable and acceptable settlement.
On Eastern Nagaland, Rio reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to equitable and inclusive development across all regions. Acknowledging the historical developmental disadvantages of Eastern Nagaland, he said the State Government had wholeheartedly supported the region’s aspiration for an arrangement in the form of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
He highlighted the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on February 5, 2026, between the Governments of India and Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation for constitution of the FNTA within Nagaland. Describing the agreement as a historic milestone, he assured the people of Eastern Nagaland of the State Government’s fullest cooperation for its early constitution and operationalisation.
Law and order, drugs and disaster response
On law and order, the Chief Minister said Nagaland remained largely peaceful, attributing this to the dedication of the district administration, police and security forces.
He condemned the IED blast in Chümoukedima district targeting a vehicle carrying Assam Rifles personnel, in which one personnel was killed and four others sustained grievous injuries. Describing the attack as cowardly and condemnable, he said the investigation had been taken over by the National Investigation Agency.
Rio also highlighted the State’s intensified campaign against drugs and crime. More than 407 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act were registered across Nagaland between January 2024 and May 2026, resulting in the arrest of 677 accused persons.
He said the Government was also strengthening the operational capacity of the Nagaland Police through the acquisition of 550 new vehicles under Police Modernisation assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Addressing the recent monsoon disasters, Rio expressed concern over unprecedented rainfall that triggered landslides and flash floods across several districts, resulting in loss of lives, injuries and extensive damage to houses, property and public infrastructure, particularly in Mon district.
He said the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority and district administrations had undertaken rescue, relief and restoration operations. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team from the Ministry of Home Affairs had also visited the State to assess the damage and facilitate support for recovery and rehabilitation.
Agriculture and allied sectors
Rio said the agriculture and allied sector was poised for major transformation following approval of the Nagaland Agriculture Policy, 2025, which provides a roadmap for building a resilient and sustainable agricultural economy.
He also highlighted the Unified Digital Agriculture Ecosystem under the Digital Agriculture Mission, aimed at strengthening farmer-centric digital infrastructure.
Proposals for two Centres of Excellence—for kiwifruit at Pfutsero in Phek district and dendrobium orchid at the State Horticulture Nursery in Chümoukedima—are under process.
The Chief Minister also referred to the MoU signed between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and French pork processing company Cooperl for modernising the State’s piggery sector.
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He highlighted the Cluster-based Coffee Value Chain Development programme, under which pilot clusters will be developed at Tuophema and Ghotovi with hi-tech nurseries, post-harvest infrastructure, roasteries and branding initiatives to establish “Coffees of Nagaland” as a premium single-origin brand.
He also referred to the Nagaland Agarwood (Conservation and Promotion) Policy, 2026, and the Tripartite MoU signed on June 11, 2026, between the Governments of India, Nagaland and Assam concerning the State’s share in mineral oil resources in the Disputed Area Belt.
Major infrastructure push
Rio announced that 39 sq km at Chathe Valley in Chümoukedima district had been identified for the proposed modern incubation city, Nagaki, aimed at catalysing economic activity and creating opportunities for the State’s youth. An amount of ₹100 crore under SASCI has been received for the project.
On road connectivity, he said PWD (Roads & Bridges) had completed 132.50 km of roads and six modular steel bridges during 2025-26 under various State and Central schemes.
He highlighted ongoing highway projects, including widening of the Unger-Tuli and Longsa-New Wokha Village stretches of NH-02 and improvement of the Mokokchung-Chare road. The four-lane Dimapur bypass constructed by NHIDCL has also been completed.
The State is pursuing four short landing strips at Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang and Ciethu to improve intra-State air connectivity. Development of inland waterways is also being explored, with a LiDAR survey of the Tizu-Zungki National Waterway proposed.
Development of the Doyang Water Reservoir, Noune Lake and Shilloi Lake for tourism and water sports is underway, with DPRs at an advanced stage.
Rio also highlighted a tripartite agreement involving the Finance Department, Tata and Nagaland State Transport for 43 buses under a deferred-payment mechanism.
Other initiatives include an Export Facilitation Cell in partnership with IIFT Kolkata, the Nagaland Food Processing Industries Policy, the Chief Minister’s Yarn Bank, food-processing incubation centres, an Entrepreneurs’ Incubation Centre and a Modern Aggregation Centre.
In the power sector, a new 220/132/33 kV substation at Tsitrongse (Diezephe) is nearing completion. Rooftop solar installations under the Nagaland Solar Mission and PM Surya Ghar scheme have reached 1.32 MW, while more than 57,300 smart meters have been installed.
Health, sanitation and social welfare
Rio said 3,48,048 functional household tap connections had been provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission as of July 1, 2026, while 1,300 villages had attained ODF Plus status under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II.
The Government, he said, was pursuing a TB-free Nagaland, with 214 villages declared TB-free on World TB Day. A 100-day Ayushman Student Coverage Mission has also been launched across the State.
The State has submitted a proposal for a greenfield AIIMS, with 200 acres at Nagaki City in Chümoukedima proposed for the institution.
A new Kohima Orphanage Home with capacity for more than 100 children has been completed with NEC funding, while all 17 districts have achieved coverage under Mission Vatsalya.
Youth, education and skills
Highlighting youth development, Rio said 16 new sports infrastructure projects had been virtually inaugurated, including 11 multipurpose indoor halls, four futsal grounds and institutional infrastructure in Peren.
He also noted Nagaland’s medal-winning performance at the SAI Khelo India Archery Championship and highlighted the State’s grassroots football and futsal initiatives.
Under PM-USHA, major infrastructure projects were completed at Dimapur Government College and Zunheboto Government College. The Higher Education Attendance & Record Tracking (HEART) App has also been launched.
The Government has completed the PM-DeVINE project for infrastructure development in Nagaland’s polytechnics and submitted a proposal for establishment of an IIT in the State.
Rio further highlighted the proposed Centre of Excellence in Dimapur for logistics-sector skills, the Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme, and the NSEDM-IDAN Japanese Language Centre. The first batch of 50 trainees is being prepared for overseas employment opportunities.
In school education, 54 infrastructure projects were completed during 2025-26, including 49 Integrated Science and Mathematics Laboratories, four school building renovations and a residential hostel.
Rio said recent assessment data showed improvement in foundational language and numeracy, while the PACE-N digital learning management system under the Nagaland Education Project-NECTAR was strengthening education governance and teacher development.
The Chief Minister said the wide-ranging initiatives reflected the Government’s commitment to investing in Nagaland’s human capital, strengthening infrastructure and institutions, and creating greater opportunities for the State’s youth.
