Khelo India multipurpose hall at Longtho sparks confusion after inauguration material listed the facility as Mangkolemba Town
MOKOKCHUNG — The location of an INR 2.71-crore Khelo India multipurpose hall in Mangkolemba has triggered confusion and a demand for clarification from local civil society organisations after the facility, located at Longtho village about 18 kilometres from Mangkolemba town, was listed as “Mangkolemba Town” in material issued for its virtual inauguration by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on July 3.
The controversy has seen the Mangkolemba Ao Lanur Telongjem (MALT) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Mangkolemba seek clarification from the construction firm, Aren Enterprises, even as the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports has maintained that the project was implemented at the designated and Ministry-approved geo-tagged location within Mangkolemba sub-division.
The multipurpose hall was constructed under the Khelo India Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. According to the Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, a work order was issued to M/s Aren Enterprises in July 2024 for construction of the facility at Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district.
The work order specified “Mangkolemba” along with geo-tagged coordinates of 26°29′45.10″N and 94°22′13.53″E, which correspond to the present site at Longtho village in Mangkolemba Circle.
The Directorate, in a clarification issued on August 11, said the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR), incorporating the geographical coordinates, had been approved by the Ministry before sanction of the project. It stated that the location was recorded in the approved documents as falling under Mangkolemba Circle and that the project was consequently implemented at the designated geo-tagged site.
Also read: NSDMA says Chümoukedima SASCI works not meant for river erosion
The department also said a Land Availability Certificate had been issued by the additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Mangkolemba, following spot verification in coordination with the village council concerned. An NOC was subsequently issued certifying that the identified land was free from encumbrances.
According to the directorate, a project monitoring committee comprising state government officials and a Ministry representative verified the work following a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The committee submitted its report on December 9, 2025, certifying the project as 100% complete.
The Directorate further clarified that the nomenclature “Multi-Purpose Hall, Mangkolemba” was approved by the Ministry and retained in the project documents. However, it noted that the location was never described as Mangkolemba ADC headquarters or Mangkolemba town.
The clarification followed a series of interventions by Mangkolemba civil society bodies after the July 3 virtual inauguration. A circular issued by the Youth Resources and Sports department for the inauguration of 15 completed projects by the chief minister listed the location of the multipurpose hall as “Mangkolemba Town.”
Following the inauguration, MALT on July 21 issued a notice to Aren Enterprises asking the firm to appear and furnish clarification regarding the multipurpose hall constructed. The firm was given 15 days to respond, with the deadline expiring on August 5.
MALT subsequently referred the matter to the CSOs of Mangkolemba, which held a meeting on August 9.
On August 10, the CSO Mangkolemba issued an ultimatum to ADC, Mangkolemba, over the construction firm’s alleged non-compliance with the earlier notice. The firm was given a final three-day window, from August 11 to 13, to appear before the CSO office and provide the required clarification and records.
The CSO stated that failure to comply would compel it to take further action, with resulting consequences resting with the firm.
On the same day, Minister Temjen Imna Along convened a consultative meeting with officials and stakeholders on issues concerning the multipurpose hall. The meeting was scheduled for August 11 at his official residence.
The CSO acknowledged the invitation but informed the minister that it had already taken up the matter through the appropriate channels and would not participate at this stage. It maintained that the process, including the firm’s appearance and submission of records, should first run its course.
Separately, a work order issued by the chief engineer of PWD (Housing), dated July 22, 2024, sanctioned INR 2,71,57,192 to Aren Enterprises for construction of the multipurpose hall.