DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 2 (MExN): The Government of the Naga National Council – Democratic Socialist Republic of Nagaland (GNNC-DSRN) has called for all 60 MLAs in Nagaland to resign in order to “pursue a just and lasting solution,” while issuing a statement outlining what it termed as rampant corruption in the State and Central schemes.
The statement, issued by the group's MIP, alleged that “certain Ministers and departmental authorities reportedly take a percentage from contractors, including other faction groups in Nagaland, as a form of yearly ‘tax,’” which it said incentivizes substandard work and “contributes to the rapid deterioration of roads, drainage systems, and other public works, often within a year of completion.”
It named the Rural Development Department as “one of the most corrupt departments in Nagaland,” citing the alleged misappropriation of a ₹185 crore grant-in-aid sanctioned during 2017–2018 for excluded areas under Rural Authority 32 of 2017, Demand No. 42 (Rural Development). The statement said “reliable sources” indicated the funds were shared among senior officials and staff, and that a high-level committee meeting in March 2018, signed by the then Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Rural Development, produced “a revised breakup intended to mislead the public.” The GNNC-DSRN asked the Central Government to constitute am SIT, saying documents can be provided if required.
It also alleged that village authorities are often instructed to sign for 100% of funds but then asked to refund up to 80% to the department, describing this as “a serious case of rampant corruption.” It alleged that since the disbursement of the grant, senior Rural Development officers “have allegedly accumulated palatial buildings and extensive land assets.”
It highlighted the defunct food and vegetable processing plant at Viola Colony, Dimapur, alleging unauthorized occupation by “non-local communities” and questioning why eviction had not been carried out. It also cited poor conditions of roads including the Rangapahar Bypass, the Kohima–Chakhabama–Pfutsero–Jessami road, and the two-lane highway at Jalukie, saying contractors must be held accountable for contract violations. The GNNC-DSRN warned that “in our next episode” it would publish names of political leaders and officials “ranked according to the extent of their involvement in corrupt practices.”
The statement also said the GNNC-DSRN’s proposal was to create “a Government for the Nagas, by the Nagas, and with the Nagas,” where intellectuals and educated unemployed youth “can come together to fight for justice, stand firmly against corruption, and uphold the true cause of the Naga movement.”
Regarding taxation, the group said no other form of taxation shall be levied upon Nagas apart from house tax and army ration, but compulsory contributions and other levies would apply to non-locals residing in Nagaland. It warned that non-locals challenging the rights and interests of indigenous inhabitants “shall be subject to appropriate legal action, including…notice to vacate Nagaland.”
Calling for unity, the GNNC-DSRN said factions “not genuinely committed to the Naga cause should voluntarily disband and allow those with true motives to lead,” warning that “there is a real risk that Nagaland's youth, frustrated by prolonged unrest, will mobilize against all of us, and public support for our cause will disappear.”
