HC stays renaming of Molvom Railway Stn

The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench has directed the Nagaland government not to proceed with renaming of Molvom village or Molvom Railway Station, and to ensure protection of lives and properties of the villagers until further orders.
Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer passed the interim order on July 24 while hearing a writ petition (WP(C)/129/2025) filed by Molvom Village Council chairman Letkhojang and chief/GB Letjahao Misao, challenging the renaming and land acquisition process for the proposed “Nagaki Incubation City” at Chathe Valley under Medziphema sub-division.
The petitioners submitted that Molvom village, established in 1940, is a recognised village under the Nagaland Village and Area Councils Act, 1978. They claimed that despite this, the authorities had issued letters and notices recommending the change of name from Molvom to Medziphema Railway Station (Molvom) and initiated land acquisition processes without following due procedure under the Nagaland Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1965.
The petition challenged two government communications: a letter dated February 14, 2025, by the Additional Deputy Commissioner recommending the station’s name change, and a land acquisition notice dated April 10, 2025, issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima.
According to the record, the land acquisition covered 330 hectares of land between Molvom village and Chathe River, extending towards New Socünoma and Rüzaphema villages. The petitioners argued that acquisition notices were served without following mandated procedures, including public consultation and fair compensation.
After hearing the petitioner’s counsel, A. Zhimomi, the court issued notice returnable within four weeks and directed the state respondents (Nos. 1 to 6) to take necessary steps to protect the lives and properties of Molvom villagers. It also restrained the government from changing the name of Molvom village or Molvom Railway Station till the next hearing.
Government advocate accepted notice on behalf of the state respondents. The petitioners were directed to serve notice to the remaining respondents (Nos. 7 to 10) including the Ministry of Railways and Northeast Frontier Railway, within three working days.
The next hearing is expected after the four-week return period.