On Statehood Day, Rio outlines vision for a developed Nagaland

Nagaland marked its 63rd Statehood Day on Monday with chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio reflecting on six decades of progress and outlining priorities for the future.
Addressing the gathering at the New Secretariat Plaza here, Dr. Rio lauded the courage and perseverance of the Naga people, paid tribute to leaders who laid the foundations of the State, and acknowledged that much remains to be done to meet the aspirations of all communities.
He spoke of the economic disparity in Eastern Nagaland and reiterated that despite sustained efforts, the region continues to lag behind the rest of the State. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to bridging these gaps through the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT). He cited recent developments, including tripartite talks held on September 9, 2025, consultations with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU), and the State’s comments on the draft Memorandum of Settlement submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Rio expressed hope for an early, acceptable and lasting solution.
On the Naga political issue, Rio highlighted the work of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which includes Ministers, Advisors, Members of Parliament and all political parties. He said the PAC met on September 1, 2025 and unanimously endorsed the Ungma Statement of August 23, 2025. Rio urged all Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to unite on a common platform, supported by Tribal Hohos, and pursue a shared political objective. Recalling the wide consultative meeting of September 12, 2024, he renewed his appeal to NPGs, the Centre and stakeholders to recognize the urgency of the peace process and pursue an early and honourable settlement, including elevating talks to the highest political level.
Under Youth development and sports where 22 percent of the population were aged 15–25, Rio announced sanction of 31 multi-disciplinary indoor stadiums, 28 futsal grounds, and district sports funds of Rs. 3 lakh per Assembly constituency from 2026. He highlighted recent achievements, including success at the 69th National School Games Taekwondo Championship, the upcoming Asian Women’s Sepak Takraw Championship in 2026, and the ongoing Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior Girls U-17 National Football Championship.
In the creative sector, Rio noted the role of the Tribal Affairs & Field Marshal’s Association (TaFMA) in strengthening the State’s music industry, citing the successful Nagaland World Music Festival 2025.
On education and skills Rio announced 129 new Assistant Professor positions and infrastructure upgrades under PM-USHA, along with approval for four Model Degree Colleges at Niuland, Shamator, Noklak and Tseminyu. He said a National Education Policy (NEP-2020) aligned curriculum for technical education will roll out from 2026 and highlighted an AI laboratory at ICIT Mokokchung created in partnership with Intel India. The Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department will launch a programme to boost rural youth job readiness, while a regulatory framework for private placement agencies has been notified to protect jobseekers.
On entrepreneurship, Rio underlined the Nagaland Trade, Investment & Industrial Policy 2025 and the inauguration of a Modern Mechanical Workshop-cum-Training Centre at Shokhuvi.
The Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund supported 184 entrepreneurs last year and 194 this year. Initiatives include the Nagaland Innovation Hub at Chümoukedima, the SAMARTH initiative at NIELIT Kohima and an AI & Future Skills Centre at NTTC Dimapur.
He also detailed progress under the World Bank-supported NECTAR project, including Light House School Complexes across all 16 districts, examination reforms and partnerships such as Yamaha Music India for elementary schools. Mission SOAR was announced to transform public education.
Infrastructure and connectivity were highlighted with the completion of 75.20 km of roads under PMJSY and 17.16 km under NESIDS, along with widening and strengthening of NH-61 and NH-702A. The Government is pursuing intra-state air links through proposed landing strips at Ciethu, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang, and has identified Noune, Shilloi and Doyang as inland waterway corridors. A revised proposal for development of the Tizu–Zungki river has been submitted. In power, capacity at the Nagarjan substation has been raised from 200 MVA to 350 MVA, and a new 220/132/33 kV substation at Tsitrongse is under construction to meet a projected 304 MW demand by 2035.
Health and urban development were also addressed. Seven districts have achieved “zero malaria” status, and the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme received the 2024 Innovation Award from the Centre for Innovations in Public Systems. A 400-bed medical college hospital at NIMSR Kohima will be established with JICA support. Urban governance is being strengthened through capacity building for municipal councillors and distribution of sanitation vehicles. Rio recorded the inauguration of the Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco-Park at Officers Hill, supported by Japan. On tourism, he reiterated the State’s appeal for permanent withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, first imposed in December 2024, saying it discourages visitors. He thanked the Union Home Ministry for relaxing PAP during the Hornbill Festival and urged full removal.
Agriculture and livelihoods were emphasized with Agri Stack initiatives, organic cultivation on over 35,000 hectares under MOVCDNER, support to 31,000 farmers, and a new MoU with the Jute Corporation of India, National Jute Board and ICAR-CRIJAF. Horticulture expansions, water projects and post-harvest infrastructure under MIDH were highlighted, along with sericulture and fisheries developments. Nagaland is positioning itself as a major coffee-producing State in the Northeast, with the region’s first Coffee Board meeting held in Kohima on September 3, 2025. Under the Rural Livelihoods Mission, 136,000 rural households were mobilised into 15,434 self-help groups; 30,000 women joined the Lakpati Didi Vision and 259,000 households received work under MGNREGA.
Other highlights of the event included presentations by Meriema Cultural Troupe- ‘Rukhru Mezu’; Zhove Cultural Troupe of the Chakhesang tribe; Shena Old Cultural Troupe of the Sumi tribe; Folk song by Sangpin Tah with the traditional dance of the Tikhir tribe.
Earlier, the event began with the parade review by DGP Nagaland, Rupin Sharma. The march past included contingents from the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th NAP battalions, 15th (IR) Bn, Village Guards, NPTS Central Brass Band, Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band, and 15th IR Mahila Pipe Band. Akihito X. Sumi, dy. commandant, 1st NAP was the parade commander, while Zaren Yanthan, asst. commandant, 2nd NAP was the second-in-command.
The programme was attended by dignitaries, HoDs, AHoDs, government employees and general public.