KOHIMA, AUG 15 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said the state government would continue to play an active facilitating role in the Naga political peace process and welcomed the elevation of the dialogue to the ministerial level, while reiterating its commitment to an “honourable and acceptable” solution.
Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebration at Secretariat Plaza here, Rio said the people of Nagaland continued to yearn for an early settlement of the Naga Political Issue. He recalled the State Government’s efforts since 2024 to have the peace talks elevated to the highest political level.
He said the Union government had constituted a committee headed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs to lead the Naga peace talks following the State’s repeated appeals.
Rio urged the Union government to reach out to all negotiating parties with urgency and clarity so that the committee could commence its work and fulfil its mandate. He assured that the State Government would continue to act as an “active facilitator” towards an early settlement acceptable to all concerned.
FNTA agreement: On Eastern Nagaland, Rio said the state government had consistently supported the aspirations of the people of the eastern districts, who continued to lag behind in several development indicators due to historical disadvantages.
He said the State Government had supported the demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), and described the February 5, 2026 Memorandum of Agreement between the State Government, Government of India and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation as a “historic milestone”.
Rio assured the people of Eastern Nagaland of the government’s continued support towards the early constitution and operationalisation of the authority.
IIT, AIIMS proposals: In education and healthcare, Rio said the State had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education for establishment of an IIT in Nagaland, with 260 acres identified at Ciethu, Kohima.
A proposal for a greenfield AIIMS has also been submitted to the Union Health Ministry, with 200 acres identified at the proposed Nagaki City in Chümoukedima.
He said Nagaki City was being developed in Chathe Valley, with 39 sq km identified for the proposed modern incubation city and 330 hectares earmarked for immediate activation and detailed planning. The State has received Rs.100 crore under SASCI and sought additional Central support.
Infrastructure push: Rio said 132.50 km of roads and six modular steel bridges were completed during 2025-26, while the PWD maintained 10,315.90 km of roads. Several major highway projects were completed, including stretches of NH-02 and the four-lane Dimapur bypass, which is awaiting inauguration.
He acknowledged that heavy monsoon rains had damaged and disrupted several roads and highways and said restoration was being undertaken on priority.
The State is also pursuing development of short landing strips at Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang and Ciethu to improve intra-State air connectivity. The government is exploring inland waterways, including the Tizu-Zungki National Waterway, while tourism and water sports projects are being pursued at Doyang Water Reservoir, Noune Lake and Shilloi Lake.
Youth, education and skills: Rio highlighted several initiatives for youth, including 16 new sports infrastructure projects comprising 11 multipurpose indoor halls, four futsal grounds and a facility at Peren.
He said Nagaland’s Baby League football and Women Futsal League had been highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat as grassroots initiatives for nurturing young talent and promoting women’s sports.
The government has also undertaken higher education infrastructure projects under PM-USHA and launched the Higher Education Attendance & Record Tracking (HEART) App.
A Centre of Excellence in logistics training is being established in Dimapur, while the Nagaland Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Mission has established a Japanese Language Centre to prepare youth for overseas employment.
Healthcare and rural development: Rio said 214 villages had been declared TB-Free as part of efforts towards a TB-Free Nagaland. The government has also launched a 100-Day Ayushman Student Coverage Mission to increase coverage among eligible citizens.
He said Nagaland had launched the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), with emphasis on rural infrastructure, livelihoods, water security and climate resilience.
Power and transport: A 220/132/33 kV substation at Tsitrongse, Diezephe, is nearing completion to improve power stability in Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland and Peren.
Rooftop solar installations under the Nagaland Solar Mission and PM Surya Ghar have reached 1.32 MW, while more than 57,300 smart meters have been installed.
For long-term power security, three hydroelectric projects– the 42 MW Lower Tizu, 24 MW Zungki and 24 MW Tizu Valley projects– have been proposed at a combined estimated cost of around Rs.1,264 crore.
A tripartite MoU has also been signed for 43 buses under a deferred-payment mechanism to improve affordable passenger transport.
Agri and emerging sectors: Rio said the State had notified the Nagaland Agriculture Policy, 2025, and launched a Unified Digital Agriculture Ecosystem.
He highlighted expansion of horticulture coverage, increased fish production and efforts to modernise piggery through an MoU with French pork processing company Cooperl.
A Rs.175-crore cluster-based coffee value chain project covering Arabica and Robusta coffee has also been launched, with the aim of developing “Coffees of Nagaland” as a premium single-origin brand.
The State has further adopted the Nagaland Agarwood (Conservation and Promotion) Policy, 2026.
Oil exploration and revenue: Rio described the June 11 tripartite MoU between the governments of India, Nagaland and Assam on oil and natural gas exploration and production in the Disputed Area Belt as a landmark development.
Under the agreement, proceeds from exploration and production are to be shared equally. He said consultations were underway to operationalise the agreement, along with discussions on a Nagaland-specific regulatory framework consistent with Article 371A.
The Taxes department collected Rs.1,597.51 crore during 2025-26, while Nagaland recorded 28% growth in gross GST revenue, which Rio said was the highest among States during the period.
Digital governance and tourism: The Nagaland Institute of Transformation was inaugurated in March with NITI Aayog support to help formulate and drive the State’s development agenda.
Rio said 100% online issuance of birth and death certificates had been enabled from June 1, while the Nagaland Integrated Information System (NIIS) had been launched to serve as a unified source of information on government activities and services.
In tourism, the State is promoting community-based tourism, local festivals and sustainable tourism. Dzükoü Valley has been included under the Centre’s initiative for developing global-standard tourist destinations.
Monsoon damage, law and order: Reflecting on the recent monsoon, Rio said unprecedented rainfall had triggered landslides and flash floods across several districts, causing deaths and extensive damage, particularly in Mon district. He said relief, rescue and restoration operations were continuing and the State had sought Central assistance.
On law and order, Rio said Nagaland remained largely peaceful but condemned the IED attack in Chümoukedima district targeting an Assam Rifles vehicle, in which one personnel was killed and four injured. The investigation has been taken over by the National Investigation Agency.
He also highlighted the ongoing “War on Drugs”, stating that more than 407 NDPS cases had been registered and 677 accused arrested between January 2024 and May 2026.
Call for united development: Concluding his address, Rio said the progress achieved across sectors reflected the commitment and perseverance of the people.
He called upon citizens to work together towards a more developed, self-reliant and prosperous Nagaland, while continuing efforts for peace and an early resolution of the State’s long-standing political aspirations.
Earlier, Rio hoisted the National Flag and received the Rashtriya Salute before inspecting the parade and delivering his Independence Day address.
The March Past featured contingents from the Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Arunachal Pradesh Police, Nagaland Police, Home Guards, Civil Defence, SDRF and ex-servicemen. The parade was commanded by Akihito X. Chishi, deputy commandant 1st NAP, with Alovika Swu assistant commandant 12th NAP, as second-in-command.
The ceremony also featured brass and pipe bands of the Nagaland Police, Assam Rifles and 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Battalion, adding to the ceremonial grandeur of the Independence Day celebrations.