Reply to starred and supplementary questions in NLA

During the second day of the 7th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) held at the Assembly Hall, Kohima on September 4, 2025, various starred and supplementary questions were raised by members and replied to by ministers, DIPR report stated.
Census 2027 and delimitation: Replying to a starred question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on Census 2027, deputy chief minister and minister-in-charge of Home, Y. Patton, informed that the state government received notification from the Government of India regarding the conduct of Census 2027, which has been published in the Gazette of India.
He said the Home department has been notified as the nodal department and the Home commissioner designated as the nodal officer. A notification for freezing of administrative boundaries with effect from January 1, 2026 till March 31, 2027 has also been issued to facilitate the exercise. A State Level Coordination Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the chief secretary.
To a supplementary query by Azo on whether Census 2027 would be used for the 2028 delimitation, Patton confirmed that it would form the basis for the exercise.
Cross-border movement and border pass: On another starred question by Azo regarding cross-border movement, Patton said abolition of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) has not been communicated to the state government. Instead, he said the regime is being implemented with additional regulations, allowing the holder of a “Border Pass” issued by an authorized Assam Rifles representative to stay up to seven days at a time within 10 km of the international border.
Responding to a supplementary, Patton informed that there were nine entry and exit points along the border.
Road projects: Deputy chief minister T.R. Zeliang, replying to MLA Kevipodi Sophie’s query on the status of the two-lane Package-4 road from D-Khel, Kohima village to Kigwema village, informed that the project was being implemented by NHIDCL under MoRTH.
He said contractors were selected by MoRTH and the state government had no role in the process. The delay, he said, was due to land acquisition and legal issues, but the project was now expected to be completed by March 2026. Directions had also been issued to NHIDCL for quality work and timely completion.
Border passes: To a supplementary by Azo Nienu on the number of entry and exit points in the state, Patton reiterated there were nine. He said border passes were issued only to adults by authorized Assam Rifles personnel, while state police along with medical staff were deployed to assist the paramilitary force.
Human-elephant conflict: Responding to a question by MLA Achumbemo Kikon on steps taken to minimise human-elephant conflict, minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Village Guards, C.L. John, informed that the department had taken several measures, including a proposal to convert Doyang Plantation Division, Wokha, into a Wildlife Division.
He said two mitigation plans had been submitted and the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change requested for permission to translocate elephants from human inhabited areas.
Kikon urged the department to enhance compensation to affected families and deploy more personnel in elephant-prone areas, particularly during cropping season.
Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, also appreciated the department’s efforts, while pointing out that elephant foraging area of 100–150 km indicated the population had exceeded carrying capacity. He said relocation and population control were two possible ways to reduce conflict.
Tuli Paper Mill: Replying to MLA Nuklutoshi on the future of Tuli Paper Mill, minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Metsubo Jamir, said the company had indicated plans to shift focus towards ethanol production, which was considered more profitable and viable than paper.
Nuklutoshi expressed concern over ongoing negotiations between 3A Capital Service Ltd. and mill workers for settlement of pending salaries and dues, and urged government intervention for clearance of payments.
On this, chief minister Rio assured that a committee would be constituted to address all issues relating to the Paper Mill within a specified timeframe.
Advisor for Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, A. Pangjung Jamir, also spoke on the issue.