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Nagaland
The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) on Saturday strongly opposed the proposal of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, asserting that it would undermine India's federal structure and lead to a "one-party rule". Raising the issue of 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) during the Zero Hour of the Nagaland assembly, NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon said it is detrimental to India, which is known for its unity in diversity. He claimed ONOE would undermine India's federal structure and the autonomy of individual states, especially Nagaland, which was born out of a political agreement, with special privileges inserted under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. He argued that synchronising elections would diminish the role of regional parties, which play a crucial part in advocating for local issues. Kikon said ONOE could overshadow regional issues with national political narratives, especially from financially dominant national parties. This shift, he said, would jeopardise the democr
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) projected a credit potential of Rs 2,106.34 crore for 2025-26 under priority sector activities in Nagaland. The projection was made in the State Focus Paper (SFP) released by Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan during a seminar organised by NABARD here on Tuesday. The SFP stated that of the total projection, Rs 712 is for agriculture, Rs 968 crore for MSME and Rs 425 crore for other sectors. The paper outlines a comprehensive assessment of the state's credit potential for priority sector activities, which include agriculture, rural development, and infrastructure projects to help guide financial institutions in channelling credit effectively, said NABARD General Manager Pauliankap Bulte. He said banks should focus on extending credit to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Bulte stressed the importance of supporting Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), including those identified for computerisation und
Nagaland witnessed a significant political shift this year as the Congress made a comeback by winning the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state after decades of political marginalisation and elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were held for the first time in 20 years with 33 per cent reservation for women, marking a pivotal moment in its political landscape. In the parliamentary elections held earlier this year, Congress candidate S Supongmeren Jamir clinched the state's only Lok Sabha seat, delivering a win that many political analysts termed as a historic resurgence for the party in a state where it had long been absent from the political limelight. Jamir's victory marked the end of a 20-year hiatus for Congress in the state's Lok Sabha elections. The last Congress candidate to win the seat was K Asungba Sangtam, who served from 1999 to 2004. For the state's people, Jamir's triumph carries a deep, symbolic significance, marking a shift in the state's political dynamics, which had be
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has reimposed the Protected Area Permit in Manipur in view of security concerns arising out of influx from neighbouring countries, a state government statement said. The statement issued late on Wednesday night said, "With this reimposition, the movement of foreigners visiting Manipur will be closely monitored, and they are required to obtain the necessary Protected Area Permit (PAP) in accordance with the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. It said the Centre has reimposed the Protected Area Permit in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. The statement also said that the state government has taken notice of the warning issued by an organisation which asked Chief Minister N Biren Singh not to travel to Senapati district to attend a cultural programme by passing through Kangpokpi district by road. It stated "Upon investigation, it has been found that no such organization (Kuki Zo Council) exists in Manipur. The origin and authenticity of this group
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday said Nagaland's governance is built on the cornerstone of 'Peace for development and development for peace'. He stressed on fostering unity, inclusivity, and empowering the youth of the state. Addressing the 62nd Statehood Day function, Rio recalled the words of the then President S Radhakrishnan, who spoke about building a society based on "understanding and friendship" to counter hatred and violence, and said that "these words remain profoundly relevant today." The CM called on the citizens of Nagaland to unite in the pursuit of a prosperous future. "On this Statehood Day, I appeal to every citizen to work together to bring smiles and happiness into our lives," Rio said. Urging everyone to contribute towards realizing the state's shared dream of development and prosperity, Rio also acknowledged the ongoing challenges, particularly regarding the Naga political issue, and reiterated the government's commitment to peace, development, and inclusiv
A roundtable discussion was held between the Nagaland government and a delegation from the UK on the state's growing opportunities and investment potential. The programme was held Saturday upon the arrival of the UK delegation for the Hornbill festival, a statement said. Discussions were held on partnerships in key sectors such as agritech and creative economy, it said. In his opening remarks, Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha emphasised the global significance of the Hornbill Festival as a venue for networking and collaboration. He noted Nagaland's transformation into a "land of opportunities" while retaining its rich identity as a land of festivals. Stressing the potential for agritech and the creative economy to drive economic growth, Metha underscored the importance of strategic collaborations with the United Kingdom to usher in a new era of sustainable development for the state. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron and Director of ...
The Nagaland government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British High Commission to reserve five annual slots in the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for aspirants from the state. The MoU was signed by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha and British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Andrew Fleming at the chief minister's official residence on Saturday, a statement said. The pact was inked in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and British High Commissioner Linda Cameron. The Chevening Scholarship provided by the UK government is aimed at nurturing exceptional individuals with leadership potential, the statement said. This collaboration will provide full funding for a one-year master's degree at any UK university, equipping scholars with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen fields, it said. Under the terms of the MoU, the Nagaland government would part-fund the reserved slots, enabling aspirants from the state to .
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday sought grants amounting to over Rs 40,000 crore from the visiting 16th Finance Commission to compensate for the capital deficit. Addressing a meeting with the members of the Commission here, Rio also appealed to the Commission to work out an arrangement that will keep the northeastern state in good financial health to make it an important player in the nation's journey of progress and development. Projecting some of the requirements, Rio said Rs 9,000 crore and Rs 865 crore are needed to construct a 364 km highway along the state's border with Assam and an airport at Ciethu near here, respectively. The chief minister also proposed to the Commission that grants amounting to Rs 40,386.5 crore to compensate for the capital deficit to provide an enabling atmosphere for development so that the state can reduce dependence on Revenue Deficit Grants gradually. Rio informed the Commission that much progress has taken place in many key sectors o
Members of the 16th Finance Commission arrived in Nagaland on Monday on a three-day visit, an official said. The Finance Commission team comprising chairman Arvind Panagriya and members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew and Manoj Panda was received at Dimapur Airport by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton and Chief Secretary J Alam. During the three-day stay, the Finance Commission team would hold a closed-door meeting with the chief minister, ministers and senior officers in Kohima on Tuesday. Other than the funds provided to the state through Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), the state government is likely to present to the Commission, demands for grants-in-aid for the next five years, amounting to nearly Rs one lakh crore on various sectors, the official said. The sectors include revenue deficit grants, funds for local governments to empower the rural and urban local bodies, sector specific grants to supplement expenditures in sectors such as education and health and also ...
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, under which an area is declared as "disturbed" for the convenience of security forces, has been extended in eight districts in Nagaland, three districts in Arunachal Pradesh and some other areas for six more months after a review of the law and order situation in the two northeastern states. An area or district is notified as a disturbed area under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces. The AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for the "maintenance of public order". In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said the central government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (28 of 1958) had declared eight districts, and 21 police stations in five other districts of Nagaland as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1, 2024. The home ministry said a
The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has asked the state government to implement Inner Line Permit (ILP) in three districts of Nagaland Dimapur, Chmoukedima and Niuland within 14 days. The federation is deeply anguished to note that despite having submitted several representations to the state government, the last communique having been made on February 28, no decisive action has been taken, NSF president Medovi Rhi and assistant general secretary Kenilo Kent said in a statement here on Thursday. This demand was made in response to what the NSF described as a grave alarm' over the worsening crisis in Bangladesh, which has led to regional unrest and represents a threat to the Naga homeland. "The demographic shift we are witnessing is not merely a number on a chart; it represents the dilution of Naga culture, our way of life, and our future as an indigenous people. We will not stand idle as our homeland is turned into a refuge for illegal immigrants," NSF said. The NSF maintained t
The Nagaland government has announced an ex gratia of four lakh each for the families of six people who were killed on National Highway-29 (Dimapur-Kohima) due to "large scale destruction" caused by incessant rainfall and landslides.Sixteen thousand will be given to the three injured persons as per the norms of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Deputy Chief Minister Zeliang said.After the casualties on Wednesday, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio took stock of the situation and urged people to heed official advisories."Convened a meeting and took stock of the disaster situation on NH-29, which resulted in 6 casualties. I urge citizens to heed to official advisories. The Govt. is providing emergency services and ex-gratia. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the CM posted on X."I'm deeply concerned by large scale destruction on NH-29 caused by incessant rainfall. Authorities are on-site assessing the situation & helping those
Provisions of ceasefire agreements do not grant immunity to any Naga group to carry out any form of "taxation" or threaten the general public, Lt. General Amarjeet Singh Bedi, chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell, said on Saturday. The Centre has signed ceasefire agreements with five Naga groups over a period of time -- NSCN (IM) in 1997, NSCN (Unification) in 2012, NSCN (Reformation) in 2015, NSCN-K (Khango) in 2019 and NSCN-K (Nikki) 2021. Only these five of the total 24 Naga underground groups have entered into a truce with the Centre. "Ceasefire agreements have been signed to usher in peace so that political discussions to resolve the Naga issue can move ahead in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and peaceful conditions," Bedi, also the chairman of Ceasefire Supervisory Board, said while addressing a press conference here. All the Naga groups that are signatories to the ceasefire agreements with the Centre have committed to adhere to the ceasefire ground rules, he ...
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Ministry of Defence on a plea of the Nagaland government challenging denial of sanction to prosecute 30 Army personnel, who were accused of killing 13 civilians in a botched-up operation to ambush militants in the state in 2021. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, on Monday, took note of the submissions of the state government and issued notices to the Centre and the Union Ministry of Defence. The bench has now fixed the plea of Nagaland on September 3. In April last year, the Central government had denied sanction to prosecute the Army men who were allegedly involved in the botched up ambush at Oting in Mon district of the state. The state government has filed the writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. A plea under this Article can be filed alleging violation of fundamental rights. The state, which had filed an FIR, claimed it has clinching evidence
The Congress on Sunday expressed confidence about winning the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland and forming the next government at the Centre. Addressing a press conference, AICC in-charge of Nagaland Girish Chodankar said the exit poll figures were imaginary and all would be clear in the next two days. "We will not only win the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland but the INDIA bloc will get majority seats in the country, while many other parties will also support the alliance. "India has voted against fake promises, misgovernance, unemployment, price rise and inflation. People have voted for the future of India and we are confident that we will prove the exit polls wrong," the Congress leader said. Chodankar, who arrived in Kohima on Saturday evening, said that it was decided at the extended executive meeting of state Congress that the party will contest the elections to the urban local bodies in the state scheduled on June 26. Except for the eastern Nagaland areas, Congress will conte
The Nagaland government has constituted a 'Political Affairs Committee' (PAC) comprising ministers and legislature party leaders of all political parties in the state Assembly to find an inclusive solution to the Naga Political issue. The PAC was constituted during a high-level political meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, state government spokesperson and minister for parliamentary affairs, K G Kenye said in a statement here on Sunday. The PAC comprising the council of ministers and the legislature party leaders of all political parties in the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has been formed to find an inclusive solution to the long-drawn Naga Political issue as a facilitator, he said. The PAC is being initiated once again in pursuit of a broad consensus for an early and amicable settlement, he said. In line with this, all the legislature party leaders have been directed to initiate the formation of 'Political Consultative ...
Markets were shut and private offices were closed as an indefinite shutdown of business establishments began in Nagaland on Saturday to protest against extortion by underground groups. The shutdown was first observed in the state's commercial capital Dimapur on Friday, following which the other districts joined on a call given by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CNCCI). The CNCI said harassment of the business community over extortion cannot be tolerated any further. It urged the government to take immediate steps to stop the "unabated" extortions, intimidations and summons by the underground groups. The CNCI said that banks, educational institutions, government offices and hospitals have been kept outside the purview of the shutdown. State Home Commissioner Vikeyie Kenya said that it has "come to the notice" of the government that "rampant collection of taxes" from businesses, particularly in Dimapur, by various groups, most of which have signed ...