Mangkolemba public meeting gives Nagaland government 30 days to resolve multipurpose hall row and demands ministerial resignations
DIMAPUR — Residents of Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district has given Nagaland government 30 days to resolve the controversy surrounding the Multipurpose Hall Mangkolemba, demanding accountability over the project and calling for the resignations of Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along and Sports and Youth Resources Advisor S Keoshu Yimchunger.
The ultimatum, which expires on November 2, was issued at a general meeting held at Mangkolemba public ground, Nokyu ward, on October 2. The meeting adopted a nine-point resolution and submitted a copy to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio through the additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Mangkolemba.
The gathering, attended by citizens of Mangkolemba, rejected any alternative arrangement or negotiated settlement and demanded that the government construct the multipurpose hall at Mangkolemba town in accordance with the project's fundamental official records.
It also demanded the revocation of the completion certificate issued by the ADC Mangkolemba, Moakumzuk Tzudir, on July 2, 2026, describing the certificate as “null and void” and alleging that it was not supported by the project's original records.
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The meeting further demanded that no alteration, modification or substitution be made to the building, its nomenclature, location, project identity or official records.
It called for an open resolution of the issue, saying no closed-door or undisclosed deliberations would be accepted. Since the controversy was already in the public domain, it stated, responses from the government and authorities should also be made public.
The meeting also demanded that those responsible for any wrongdoing or irregularity in connection with the project be identified and held accountable according to law.
Resignations demanded
In two of its strongest resolutions, the meeting demanded that Keoshu Yimchunger take “moral responsibility” for the controversy and resign as advisor, while also calling for Imna Along's resignation, pointing out that the present location of the structure is within the premises of his private residence.
The meeting warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would leave the public with no option but to pursue “all lawful and democratic courses of action”, including public demonstrations, mass mobilisation and closure of government offices.
It added that the government, departments concerned and district administration would be responsible for any consequences arising from such action.
The controversy centres on the location of the government-funded multipurpose hall, which was virtually inaugurated as “Multipurpose Hall Mangkolemba at Mangkolemba, Mokokchung District”.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had, during an interaction with the media on September 17, said he was “taken by surprise” by the site where the facility had been constructed and sought a report from the department concerned.
The Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports, however, had defended the project and its location in a clarification issued on August 11. According to the directorate, a work order was issued to M/s Aren Enterprises in July 2024 for construction of the facility at Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district.
It stated that the detailed project report (DPR), including geographical coordinates, was approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports before the project was sanctioned. The approved documents, it stated, recorded the location as falling under Mangkolemba Circle, following which the project was implemented at the designated geo-tagged site.
The department also stated that a Land Availability Certificate had been issued by the ADC, Mangkolemba, following spot verification in coordination with the village council concerned. An NOC was subsequently issued certifying that the land was free from encumbrances.
A project monitoring committee comprising state government officials and a representative of the Ministry also verified the work, the directorate said.
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” had been approved by the Ministry and retained in the project documents.
It, however, pointed out that the project documents never described the location as Mangkolemba ADC headquarters or Mangkolemba town.
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