When Nagaland made 2017 a year of dysfunction, ultimatums, and protests

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 30 (EMN): As curtains fall on 2017, citizens of Nagaland will remember it to be another antagonizing, difficult year—as was 2015 and 2016—with confusion and chaos in full force throughout the year. By virtue of the vivid upheavals during the past 365 days, it might be appropriate to chronicle some of the events that were primarily responsible for the state and its citizens being put to constant state of dysfunction, uncertainty and pessimism.
2017 was a ‘year of anxiety’ marred by prolonged periods of protests, copious numbers of ultimatums from agitated community and students groups and threats against the government. The primary reason that attracted the protests was mainly the Nagaland government or issues associated with the government’s police failure or administrative tepidity and inaction.

Municipal polls, women empowerment and bloodshed
It was from the word go: the year started with strong conflicting views over the question of applying the 33% reservation of seats for women in the election to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). With the Nagaland government announcing the polls, the year began on a note of offensives from various tribe organizations opposing it on grounds that the government needed to review the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001. That way, they contented, no offshoot of the act would infringe on Article 371A of the Constitution of India which grants special provisions to the state of Nagaland.
This issue lasted throughout the months of January and February. Tribe organizations boycotted the election process across the state from January 3 last while a defiant government persisted on holding the election. The entire episode—from warnings to street protests—cost the lives of two youths in Dimapur on the night of Jan. 30. It triggered more anger among Civil Society groups as it led to mob violence in Kohima where more than 30 different offices were torched on Feb. 2. This was followed by demands from different organizations that TR Zeliang resign as chief minister on moral grounds. This led to NPF leader Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu taking over as the chief minister.

Policy dysfunction: corruption and incompetence
A brief lull followed—but not for long. March saw Hindi teachers employed under various central schemes across Nagaland calling for indefinite agitations against the government’s abject failure to pay them for 10 months.
Protests against the government’s inaction on maintenance or repair/improvement of roads in the state also featured throughout the year.
In April, the Tizit Area Students’ Union announced a blockade on Namtola-Mon road following the state government’s lack of response to a demand for upkeep of the said road. During the same month, teachers employed under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) boycotted classes due to non-payment of salaries by the department concerned for five months.
As per records, the month of May did not register any public protest or movement that affected normalcy in any part of the state. However, in June, public services aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) had registered their discontentment over the state government not requisitioning posts that come under the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and also against rampant backdoor and contractual appointments in government offices despite a standing order from the government itself.
The PSAN launched a stir on July 3 which was joined by the Naga Students’ Federation, the anti-graft movement Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (Acaut) and other student bodies.
The month of July saw a change of guard in the state of affairs once again, with former chief minister Zeliang leading a rebellion against Liezietsu which resulted in the toppling of the latter’s ministry. Zeliang came to power again on July 19.
This particular month also saw the workers union of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company Ltd (NPPCL), popularly known as ‘Tuli paper mill’ under Mokokchung district staging a protest against non-fulfilment of their demands by way of imposing an indefinite blockade on National Highway 61. The workers were yet to receive salary for the past 9 months, even as the authorities have “abruptly suspended” rehabilitation works of the mill in September 2015 after it was restarted in December 2014.
In August, the Lotha and Rengma Hohos have served ultimatums to the government for non-maintenance of NH-2 falling under their respective jurisdictions. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) youth wing also launched a four-day protest outside the Raj Bhavan Kohima against the Governor PB Acharya’s move to dismiss Liezietsu’s ministry and install Zeliang as the new chief minister. A blockade of highway by organizations under Akuluto and VK areas against non-maintenance of road was called off after the government assured to execute the works at the earliest.
On August 25, Acaut staged a massive public rally in Dimapur which highlighted checking of all forms of corruption and mismanagement of public funds, termination of illegal appointments among other issues.
In September, a violent mob stormed into a police station in Kohima following the arrest of suspects involved in the murder of a taxi driver which became a law and order issue. Meanwhile, citizens in Dimapur had to suffer after the Dimapur District Auto Drivers Union called to stay off the roads against the rates prescribed by the authorities. Also, the Nagaland Civil Services Association (NCSA) had, by then threatened to call for an agitation owing to step-motherly treatment by the state government towards induction of non-NCS persons in the organisational structure of the government which are supposed to be held by NCS officers.

Broken borders and breached administrations
October saw a public uprising in Chumukedima (Dimapur) with concerns over the rampant influx of illegal immigrants (particularly from Bangaladesh) which underscored the failure of government regulations. The rallyists made a clarion call for the government to toughen its Inner Line Permit (ILP) restrictions and implement stricter rules to check the influx.
A silent public procession against an alleged arrest and assault of a minor boy in school uniform in Wokha went down in bad taste with the public as the district administration decided to clamp curfew under Section 144 CrPC.
The month also saw the Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association of 2016 launching a ‘No pay, no work’ strike after the teachers were left to suffer without being paid their salaries for more than five months.
On Oct. 23, the NPF youth wing launched an indefinite ‘dharna’ outside the Civil Secretariat protesting the NLA Speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier’s inaction on several political/legislature issues. The protest lasted for 14 days, till Nov. 9 as the youth wing decided to call it off due to the party’s impending general convention. In the same month, the Kandi Public Union, consisting of six villages under Tseminyu sub-division imposed a 48-hour bandh against the government’s failure to set up a Block Development Officer’s office at Tsonsa even after the foundation stone for the project was laid in 2012.
In November, thousands of state government employees revolted against the inaction of the existing powers by taking to the streets their apprehension on the NIA investigations in the state with regard to ‘illegal taxation’ by Naga national political groups (NNPGs). Mokokchung district truck owners association had also launched a ‘chakka bandh’ during the same time, protesting against the non-repair/improvement of NH-702D (Mariani-Mokokchung road).
On November 20, the people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Dimapur staged a protest outside the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at District Hospital Dimapur over poor facilities at the centre and the constant breakdown of the CD4 machines.
During the same month, different service associations under the state government underwent a ‘pen-down’ strike owing to conflicting interests and subsequent decisions on the matters taken by the state cabinet. Adding to the map, the All Nagaland District Ministerial Service Association (ANDMSA) also launched a stir against what it stated a denial of their ‘due share’ of benefits in terms of promotion scope, pay and allowances as compared to other employees in similar categories.
December 1, the Statehood Day was marked with the Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union launching a series of demonstrations by putting up banners protesting non-release of post matric scholarship to deserving students. The same issue was later taken up by the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) who called for a peaceful protest outside the chief minister’s office.
However, on the stated day, the chief minister himself convened a meeting with ANCSU officials and reportedly assured that the students’ scholarship would be dispatched the next day; take the other charter of demands of the union to the next cabinet sitting.
Dec. 20 saw irate PMEGP beneficiaries of Mokokchung district forcefully shutting down three bank branches in the town for delay in releasing of loans under the scheme.
A day after Christmas, on Dec. 26, Rengma Selo Zi, a youth organization of the Rengma community, along with the Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) had launched an indefinite sit-in demonstration demanding a district status for Tseminyu sub-division. While the Rengmas had been demanding for a separate district for Tseminyu from before, the youth bodies intensified the demand close on the heels of a notification of the state government announcing the upgrade of Noklak sub-division to a full-fledged district going viral in social media since Dec. 21. On Dec. 29, the Rengma Hoho announced that it would enforce an indefinite bandh from January 3, 2018 until its demand was met.
This is likely to put the state government in an uncomfortable situation as district status demand is not confined to Tseminyu alone. Under Mon district, Aboi and Tobu sub-divisions have also been pressing for upgrade of their respective divisions into district headquarters. However, the onus lies on the present powers that be to come up with strong decisions so that no one is left neglected or undeveloped.

Almanac of Nagaland’s 2017: Vignettes

Jan. 3: Major tribe bodies call for boycott
Different apex organisations representing various tribes of Nagaland called for boycott against the municipal elections. Ao senden barred its members from participations. Angami youth organisation (AYO) was ready for any eventuality if the elections were to happen. Many organisations such as Kohima land owners, Chakhroma Public, Chumukedima Village coincil, ENPO etc all called for boycotting the elections.
KV Pusa passes away
Senior Congress leader and former minister passed away after a brief illness in Kohima.

Jan. 10: Rangapahar Zoo welcomes two Bengal tigers
On Monday, Nagaland finally received two Royal Bengal Tigers from Kerala’s Thiruvananthanpuram
Zoo, according to a press release from the state’s forest department.

Jan. 24: Bandh from Jan 27 if govt fails to postpone civic polls
The public rally called by the Joint Coordination Committee formed by several apex tribal organisations demanding the government to postpone the civic polls witnessed a mammoth turnout at the State Stadium on Monday and resolved to give the government four more days till January 26 to postpone or else face indefinite closure in the entire state

Jan. 25: Municipal Act is null and void—Nagaland Bar
In what could yet turn out to be a major factor in deciding the increasingly fractious confrontation between the state government and the Naga tribe hohos on the issue of elections to urban local bodies with 33% reservation for women, the Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday said that Part IX (A) of the Constitution of India – which pertains specifically to municipalities – is not applicable to the state of Nagaland.

Jan. 28: Defiant government to conduct civic polls
Defying appeals made by various organisations for deferment of municipal and town council elections in its present format, State government, in its cabinet meeting on January 27, decided that elections to municipal and town coun-cils cannot be deferred but be taken to the logical conclusion as per provisions of law.

Jan. 31: At Churches’ intervention, JCC calls off bandh
Right when Dimapur appeared to be on the verge of scripting yet another ugly episode of violent confrontation between the public and the state police, help arrived from an ‘unexpected corner’ on Monday to steer the town and its fretful residents to safety – at least for now.

Feb. 1: Death and chaos in Dimapur after govt declares ULB elections
Less than 24 hours after signing an agreement with the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) – in the presence of NBCC members – to postpone the ULB elections, the state government on Tuesday afternoon did a retrace and announced its decision to conduct elections in 12 town councils on February 1.

Feb. 2: Violence spreads to Mokokchung
Sporadic violence erupted in pockets around Mokokchung town as bandh volunteers went on a rampage, vandalising some office buildings including the deputy commissioner’s office, NPF Mokokchung division office and Election Office in Mokokchung.

Feb. 3: Bedlam in Kohima as fresh violence breaks out
Chaos erupted in Kohima as the deadline made by the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee came to an end at 4 p.m. today as the demand for the resignation of the chief minister and his cabinet was not met.

Feb. 12: JCC declares indefinite, state-wide shutdown until CM resigns
The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), leading the ongoing agitations against the Urban Local Body elections with women reservation, has announced on Sunday, February 12, resumption of state-wide indefinite bandh from Monday, February 13, until Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang steps down.

Feb.17: Dr. Shürhozelie endorsed as next legislature party leader
The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu’s name has been endorsed by 35 NPF and 7 independent MLAs to take over the helms from Chief Minister TR Zeliang as the legislature party leader. However, the final decision will be taken only after Zeliang returns from Delhi on Friday.

Feb.20: TR Zeliang resigns with Council of Ministers
Chief Minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang has resigned with his Council of Ministers. The resignation follows a tumultuous tenure of a little more than two years that was capped off by violent agitations from community organisations over the now-nullified municipal polls.

Feb. 23: Dr. Shurhozelie sworn as CM
Eighty one year old veteran regionalist, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu was sworn in as the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland at a ceremony held in the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

Mar. 10: GBs endorse separate dialogue with Nagas of Nagaland
Having observed that the issue of Naga integration is not possible at this present time and juncture, Nagaland GBs’ Federation (NGBF) suggested building Naga nation at earnest by initiating separate political dialogue between Government of India (GOI) and Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) of the present Nagaland for a acceptable and honourable political solution for mainland Nagas.

Apr.9: NBCC and ACAUT to jointly campaign for clean elections
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) have decided to work in cooperation to rid elections, in Nagaland, of malpractice as part of a common objective symbolized by the ongoing Clean Elections movement.

Apr.16: ACAUT demands CBI probe into blank cheque case
The Against Corruption & Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has demanded from the Nagaland government to take steps to institute an enquiry, lodge a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation into all funds utilised by the department of Rural Development, specifically fund provided by MGNREGA.

May 11: ‘Suki’s Magic Box’: A 10-year-old’s magic unboxed
A children’s book titled ‘Suki’s Magic Box’ authored by 10-year-old Sochumlo Suki Ezung and published by Kohima-based PenThrill Publication House was launched here on Wednesday.

May 28: Nagaland Lokayukta Bill delayed again
The Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 introduced in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has been delayed again as the select committee appointed for it has sought ‘extension of its tenure,’ during the special assembly session today.

May 29: Five injured in Dimapur blast
Five persons were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) was hurled by unidentified miscreants inside a pharmacy – Ideal Chemist, located at Nyamo Lotha Road near Breeze restaurant Dimapur – on Monday evening.

Jun. 9: NSCN (K) chairman SS Khaplang no more
Shangyung Khaplang, better known as SS Khaplang, the chief of the banned Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) group passed away at the central headquarter of the NSCN (K) in Taka, Myanmar. He was 77.

Jun.15: Pillai scandal: Nagaland police to sever contract with tainted cop
Nagaland’s former additional superintendent of police and consultant of the state police’s motor transport wing, MKR Pillai faces termination of his contract with the department with immediate effect following a bust on his disproportionate assets case by Income Tax (IT) sleuths.

Jun. 20: Khango Konyak elected as new chairman of NSCN (K)
Khango Konyak, the 73 year old veteran of the NSCN (K) who was serving as the Vice Chairman of the group has been elected as the new Chairman/President of the NSCN(K) on June 20.

July 9: Crisis in DAN III deepens as CM axes 4 cabinet ministers
The scrap for supremacy within the NPF for the seat of the chief minister has dragged the state into yet another political crisis even as incumbent chief minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu sacked four of his cabinet ministers and ten parliamentary secretaries who were gunning for his removal.

July 12: 4 killed after bridge over Chathe caves in
Four persons, including a minor boy, were killed when a bridge constructed over Chathe river at 4th Mile Dimapur collapsed on July 12 evening evening. The bridge connected Dimapur to Niuland sub-division and Kohuboto circle.
ACAUT demands arrest of Roads and Bridges minister
ACAUT Nagaland issued a statement expressing anguish at the incident, and demanding the arrest of the minister for Roads and Bridges among others. The anti-graft movement placed four demands to the state government including the arrest of the minister concerned, the executive engineer (PWD), Dimapur division, ‘the sand and gravel mafia including the contractors, and the village council authorities for allowing extraction of stones from the riverbeds’. The ACAUT has filed a first information report (FIR) in this regard at Diphupar police station.

July 13: 27 MLAs tender resignation
A total of 27 MLAs that comprises of 21 NPF MLAs and 6 Independent MLAs that are currently camping in Kaziranga have already tendered their resignation from their respective portfolios and the letter were shared to the media.

July 17: TR-Shurhozelie tussle goes the matchbox way
Two cars, a Maruti 800 and a Maruti Omni van, were charred on a state highway in Kohima between High School junction and IG stadium by unidentified miscreants. This move was widely interpreted as a move by irate supporters of chief minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu as several anti-TR Zeliang placards were reportedly found near the burnt vehicles.

July 20: TR Zeliang appointed as the new Chief Minister
TR Zeliang was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Nagaland on July 19. This is the second time Zeliang will be holding the post of chief minister in the third term of the NPF-led DAN government and the fourth chief minister of the same tenure.

July 22: TR Zeliang wins trust vote
TR Zeliang won the floor test in the Assembly with 47 out of 58 MLAs voting in his favour after he moved a motion of confidence in the House.

July 30: PIL against 35 govt departments
The ACAUT Nagaland along with Public Service Aspirants Nagaland (PSAN) has filed public interest litigation (PIL) against what it has alleged as 705 backdoor appointments made by 35 different departments of the government of Nagaland.

Aug. 2: Pillai case: IT team from Kerala lands in state
In an attempt to dig into MKR Pillai’s operations in the state, a team from the Income Tax department, Kerala, reportedly visited Nagaland to verify and authenticate the documents and papers involving Pillai.
Reliable sources told Eastern Mirror that a group of officials from the Income Tax department, Kochi, along with some of their counterparts from Dimapur visited Kohima on July 24 and met some senior officers of the Police department.

Aug. 4: Dr. Shürhozelie wins by-election
Recently ousted chief minister and president of ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu defeated new political entrant and independent candidate Kekhrie Yhome by a margin of 3470 votes to win the by-election to 10th Northern Angami-I assembly constituency.

Aug. 13: Solution to Dimapur road woes within one year: Zeliang
As the State machineries gear up to begin the road works on war footing tentatively by September next, road woes plaguing the citizens of Dimapur is expected to be solved within one year. Chief minister TR Zeliang informed media persons.

Aug. 15: Indo-Naga talks: 90% of negotiation completed
After repeated proclamations that the Indo-Naga political talks have reached ‘final stage’ of negotiation, the NSCN (IM) revealed that the two negotiating parties were only 10% away from striking a final deal. Rh Raising, convener of the NSCN (IM) steering committee – which is the outfit’s highest decision making body – said that the ‘final stage’ has left “almost 90%” of the negotiation process between the group and the government of India completed.

Aug. 22: @TRZeliangCM : Chief Minister officially becomes a netizen
Chief Minister TR Zeliang launched his official social media handles on the popular social networking sites- Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The initiative is to gather feedback, suggestions and share ideas with the public with the intention to absorb them into policy-making process and to use them as tools to enhance good local governance in the state.

August 26: ACAUT report card: From ‘illegal tax’ to corruption
The public rally organised by ACAUT – already proclaimed as the ‘mother of all rallies’ by the organisers – served to provide a striking indication to outline the ACAUT’s journey thus far, and the path it is most like to take in the future.
The gathering decided to adopt the now-famous ‘one government, one tax’ resolution that day.

Sept. 20 : 32871 say ‘Yes’ to Rio and Zeliang
Dimapur witnessed a mammoth gathering of NPF party workers supporting Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio from Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh during the party’s general convention on Wed. Sep.20, 2017 at DDSC stadium wherein around 42,000 supporters (as claimed by the party) affirmed and endorsed their support to Neiphiu Rio as the party president.

Sept. 24: Forum for Naga Reconciliation pleads for ‘one decisive push’
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has made an impassioned appeal to the Naga people – young and old, men and women, rich and poor to give Naga reconciliation one decisive push ‘no matter how tedious and exhausting the process may seem to be.’

Sept. 28 : MLA Kiyanilie Peseyie dies at 76
Veteran politician and sitting MLA of the 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency, Kiyanilie Peseyie of Jotsoma village passed away in Dimapur following a brief illness. He was 76 and is survived by wife Vilekhono, 2 sons, 7 daughters and 15 grandchildren.
GOI & NNPG’s first round of political talks at Delhi
The Government of India (GOI) and the Working Committee (WC) of six Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) officially began a political dialogue to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga political issue. The maiden round was held at New Delhi where Mr. R N Ravi, the interlocutor of the Indo-Naga peace talks met the eighteen member delegation led by Convener of Working Committee Mr. N Kitovi Zhimomi.

Nov. 12: Dimapur plunged into darkness as transformer catches fire
Power supply to more than half of Dimapur has been affected because of total shutdown imposed by the department for restoration works after fire broke out in one of the power transformers at 132kV Sub-Station, Nagarjan, Dimapur on Nov. 13

Nov. 17: State power dept. launches first POS in the Northeast
The power department of Nagaland launched a Point of Sale for electricity bill payment at Kohima, becoming the first in the Northeast to do so.

Nov. 21: Nagaland govt. employees want NIA out of the state
Disappointed with the ‘negative response’ of the govt. of Nagaland to the arrest of seven government employees by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year and early part of this year, thousands of state govt. employees under the aegis of the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) thronged the state capital for a silent protest on Tuesday to demand the central govt. to withdraw the NIA from Nagaland.

Nov. 23: Liezietsu responds with 21144; claims 100% reaffirmation
The dispute for legitimacy of leadership and ownership of the party name and symbol of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) between two groups- one led by Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and the other by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu- stepped up on Nov. 22 with the latter holding a general convention at Khouchiezie (local ground) in Kohima. Khouchiezie was filled with thousands of Liezietsu’s supporters, 21144 as per the party’s record, who declared to stand firm behind the leadership of Liezietsu.

Nov. 29: 2018 state assembly elections will definitely be held — CEC
Amid wide speculations and hope for a settlement to the protracted Naga political issue before the 2018 state assembly election and the latter would be called off, Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) AK Joti on November 28 categorically stated that Nagaland assembly election will take place as scheduled.

Nov. 30: State govt. signs pledge to support clean elections
The government of Nagaland and the church represented by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF) have taken a pledge to support and abide by the Clean Election Campaign (CEC) being spearheaded by the churches in Nagaland. A commitment toward said venture was taken on Nov. 29 at the Platinum Hall, NBCC office, in Kohima during a ‘colloquium’ on clean elections organised by the NBCC for the church and Nagaland legislators.
The statement was signed by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on behalf of the Nagaland govt.; NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho and NJCF vice president Rev. Dr. N Paphino signed on behalf of the churches.

Dec. 2: Hope for Nagaland after years of insurgency
The president of India, Ram Nath Kovind said that Nagaland was on the edge of ‘making history’—solution to the long-running Naga political issue is ‘imminent.’
The past half-century has been one of both achievements and difficulties for Nagaland. After years of insurgency, there is hope,” President Kovind said inaugurating the Hornbill Festival on Dec. 1.

Dec. 9: Rio tenders resignation from party president
Continuing with the spectacle in the political circles of the state, especially of the ruling Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) party, Neiphiu Rio resigned from the post of the party president citing lack of trust in sitting Chief Minister TR Zeliang, and decided to support Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the party president.
Centre committed towards fulfilling aspirations of Naga people—Rajnath Singh
“The central government is committed to do its best to fulfil the aspirations of the Naga people for a brighter tomorrow with all the honour which you richly deserve,” Singh said while speaking as the chief guest on day-eight of the Hornbill festival at Naga heritage village, Kisama on Dec. 8.

Dec. 10: Boney M: Nagas traditional ‘Christmas’ flavour comes home
The much anticipated show—Christmas with Boney M— of the ‘70s disco greats is all set for Dec. 10 evening at the hockey ground of the Indira Gandhi stadium in Kohima town.
The popular German vocal group, with a team of seven members, has arrived in the state’s capital led by the band’s lead vocalist Liz Mitchell.

Dec. 13: First ever Nagaland Olympics off to spectacular opening night
After eight straight barren years – forced, by a curious combination of circumstances and geography, to transform into a playground for public rage on the streets – the city of Dimapur is playing host to a major sporting event. The return of sport from the wilderness couldn’t have found a better reception than the one accorded at the opening ceremony of the first ever Nagaland Olympics at the Dimapur District Sports Council (DDSC) stadium on Dec.12.

Dec. 16: NLA passes Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 with amendments
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has finally passed the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 with amendments on Dec. 15. The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman body to check corruption allegations against ad-ministrators and legislators, and various sections of the society have been demanding for its implementation in the state
NLA revokes its Nov. 2016 resolution
The state assembly on Dec.15 revoked its resolution of Nov. 24, 2016 with regard to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, particularly on the issue of reservation of seats for women, by adopting a fresh resolution during the ongoing winter session here in Kohima.
Liezietsu revokes suspensions and expulsions
With the recent patch up of the contending groups within the Nagaland People’s Front party, the president of the party Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu on December 14 revoked the suspension and expulsions orders of legislators including one MP.

Dec. 17: Another face-lift to Zeliang’s ministry
Barely three months before the next general elections in Nagaland– scheduled for February / March 2018—Chief Minister TR Zeliang inducted six new members into his cabinet.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor PB Acharya during a simple ceremony at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Kohima. The reshuffle came after Zeliang sacked six cabinet ministers citing reasons to provide ‘stability’ to the government.

Dec. 29: Patanjali sanctions INR 100 cr. to set up 100-bedded hospital
Patanjali Ayurved Limited, a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company have assured to set up a 100-bedded hospital in Dimapur for the differently-able persons and has expressed interest in setting up a university in Nagaland in partnership with the state government and Central government and sanctioned INR 100 cr. towards this project on Dec. 28.