Nagaland 2023: A Timeline

Moa Jamir 
Dimapur | December 30

The year 2023 marked a historic chapter for Nagaland, witnessing significant milestones and developments that shaped the state’s narrative, despite the lack of major breakthroughs in the prolonged Naga political talks.

The Morung Express presents a timeline of major events in Nagaland in 2023. The timeline is not exhaustive, and moreover has excluded general entertainment, sporting events and crimes.

January 2: Nagaland Police Chief, T John Longkumer has officially stepped aside as Director General of Police and handed in his resignation letter to the state government on January 2.

January 3: The State Cabinet appealed the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) to reconsider the demand for a separate Frontier Nagaland State, an issue that remained a focal point throughout the year.

January 6:  Chorus of demands calling for ‘Solution, Not Election’ were belted out even as Union Home Minister, Amit Shah landed in Nagaland on January 6 for a low-key visit, harping on Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government’s vision of three Ps— Peace, Progress and Prosperity for Nagaland.

January 6:  Nagaland State Government has issued a notice allowing Rupin Sharma, IPS, DG (Prisons & HG, CD & SDRF) to hold the charge of Director General of Police, Nagaland in addition to his normal duties with effect from January 7 till further orders.

January 7: Reports of fissure with the Khango-led NSCN (K) surfaced. Later there was split within the Yung Aung-led NSCN (K).

January 9: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of Nagaland, represented by the Director of Agriculture, Nagaland and Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) represented by CEO- Oil Palm Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited, Godrej One for the development and area expansion under oil palm cultivation and processing for Zone-I (Peren, Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Niuland and Wokha districts) under National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).

January 18:  Election Commission of India announced that elections to 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly will be held on February 27.

January 14: The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) have declared “unconditional commitment” to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.

January 23: The Supreme Court directed the Nagaland Government to pass orders within a week regarding the appointment of Rupin Sharma, the officer duly empanelled by Union Public Service Commission, for appointment as the Director General of Police (DGP) of the State.

February 4: Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) withdrew its assembly election boycott after reported assurance from Union Home Minister that a mutually agreed solution would be reached and implemented, post-election.

February 10:  Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer V Shashank Shekhar informed that 183 candidates are in fray for the upcoming general election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on February 27.

February 20: La Ganesan was sworn-in as the 21st Governor of Nagaland.

February 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally of the NDPP-BJP combine on but steers clear of Naga Political issue.

February 24: Political parties have released their manifestos ahead of the February 27 general elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, outlining policies for future socio-economic development, security other issues over the next five years.
-  After two years of maintaining the unflattering distinction of having the highest unemployment rate among the States and Union Territories (UTs) in India, Nagaland registered a sharp decline among 15 years and above from a concerning 19.2% in 2020-21 to 9.1% in 2021-2022 as per annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July 2021 to June 2022, released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

February 27: With 183 candidates in the fray, elections in Nagaland was held ‘peacefully’ barring some pre and post poll incidents, but marked by allegations proxy voting and other irregularities. 
- A massive fire broke out on the evening of February 27 at Mao Market, BOC area, Kohima gutting down several shops, residential homes and leaving a trail of devastation.

March 1: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Government of Nagaland and six others to complete the process of land acquisition and shifting of the present Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) dumpsite at Sunrise Colony, Burma Camp, by January 31, 2024.

March 2: Election results declared. The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) garnered the most seats by emerging victorious in 25 Assembly Constituencies (ACs). The NDPP’s pre-poll alliance partner, the BJP won 12 seats, for a combined total of 37 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 31 in the 60-member NLA. 
- Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio fortified his legacy and returned as the Chief Minister for the record 5th time, since his first tenure from 2003–08.  
- NDPP Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse entered into as the first-ever women representatives to the NLA, first formed in 1964. Since their first foray in 1969, a total of 25 women have contested in the state assembly elections over the years but were unsuccessful until 2023. It is also the first time for women to be directly elected in parliamentary or assembly elections in Nagaland after Rano M Shaiza in 1977, who won membership in the Lok Sabha. 
- The day was also historic for Lok Jan Shakti (Ram Vilas) and the Republican Party of India (Athawali), which made a maiden entry into the NLA by winning 2 seats each.

March 7: Neiphiu Rio took oath as the Chief Minister for a record fifth term. Former Chief Minister and NDPP MLA Taditui Rangkau Zeliang and BJP leader Yanthungo Patton took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers, while nine other legislators assumed office as cabinet ministers.
- NDPP’s Salhoutuonuo Kruse, from 8th Western Angami Assembly Constituency, took oath as first woman minister in Nagaland.

March 9: Nagaland State Election Commission has notified that elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULB) in Nagaland with 33 percent women’s reservation will be held on May 16.

March 15: More organisations on Wednesday said that they would not allow or participate in the Nagaland ULB elections set to be held on May 16, unless the government amends parts of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 with regard to women’s reservation; and taxation on land and buildings.

March 27: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio presented the Nagaland Budget for the year 2023-24 in the first session of the 14th NLA estimating the gross receipts at Rs 23,145.66 crore and gross expenditure at Rs 23,085.66 crore for the financial year 2023-24. 
- The current year’s transactions was estimated to result in a negative balance of Rs 40 crore, the year 2023-24 is estimated to close with an accumulated deficit of Rs 1,374.17 crore.

March 28: The NLA passed a resolution for repealing Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and assured to enact a new law in its place. The House noted “stiff voices of opposition to the Urban Local Bodies Elections under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by the Tribal Bodies, Civil Society Organisation and every section of the society,” in the resolution.

April 4-6: Nagaland hosted Business 20 (B20) Conference of the G20 forum on ‘Conference on Opportunities for Multilateral Business Partnerships in Agriculture and Food Processing’ marked with quick makeover, including ‘greening’ of sore sights.

April 13: The Nagaland Police informed that the Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of India has conveyed its denial to accord Sanction for Prosecution against all the 30 accused in the December 5, 2021 Oting incident.

April 20: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio on April 20 and had an “engaging discussion on bringing closure to the ongoing boundary issue and other areas of mutual gains and collaboration.” The reported agreement ‘in principle’ to go ahead with oil exploration in areas along their disputed boundary for the economic benefit of both states, garnered sharp reaction in Nagaland.

May 7:  A total of 676 people from Nagaland stranded in violence-hit Manipur were safely brought back to the state capital Kohima in a coordinated operation by Nagaland Government, Assam Rifles and Nagaland Police.

May 24: With the 70.30% pass percentage and reversing a declining trend for two consecutive years, the Nagaland High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Examination 2023 logged the decade’s best result. Out of 24,361 candidates, a total of 17,130 cleared the examination informed by the Nagaland Board of School Education.
-The overall pass percentage of candidates in the Arts and Commerce streams in Nagaland’s Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) Examination 2023 improved, while there was a marginal decrease for the Science stream. Stream-wise, the pass percentage in the Arts stream was 82.62% in 2023, Commerce -85.83% and Science - 86.79%.

May 27: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) office located at Naga Club Building, Kohima, was “vandalised and brought to ground” by unknown persons at the wee hour of May 27. The event was followed by series of claims and counter claims between the NSF and Naga Club.

June 2: The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench has quashed the Nagaland State Government’s July 4, 2020 order to put a blanket ban on commercial import, trading of dogs and dog markets as well a commercial sale of dog meat in markets and dine in restaurants after a lengthy hearing of a civil writ petition on Friday.

June 5: The ranking of Nagaland University (NU), the sole central university of the State, dropped further in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), while Patkai Christian College – Autonomous (PCC) became the first college in the State to be listed among top-200 in India.

June 27: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) on Tuesday announced that it has accepted the proposal of the Government of India for formation of a Frontier Naga Territory (FNT) with legislative, executive, administration, and financial autonomy, where the performance of the proposed set-up shall be reviewed after a period of 10 years to assess its efficacy.

June 12: The elusive Nagaland State Lotteries was finally landed in the state of origin and the ‘Dear Lottery’ brand was launched in Nagaland on June 12 by the Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited (FGHSPL).

June 26: Nagaland State Chief Secretary, J Alam called for taking eradication of drug abuse as a public 
- State’s first HIV-1 Viral Load (VL) laboratory was launched at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) by Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner and Secretary, Nagaland Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Department.

June-July: Unequivocal opposition to any proposal to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) gained further momentum in Nagaland with more organisations voicing out against any such move.  

July 4: Tragedy struck the Chümoukedima stretch of the NH 29 on July 4 as a rockslide caused by heavy downpour claimed 2 lives and wounded 3. The incident was captured on film (dashcam of a car following behind), which immediately went viral. It occurred sometime after 5 pm.

July 14: The Department of School Education informed that it has rolled out the pilot for Teachers Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) under NECTAR project aimed at providing schoolteachers, leaders and every staff of the Department of School Education with advanced software and hardware tools to ensure accurate and timely reporting of daily employee attendance and effective leave management.

July 15: Nagaland Government issued a notification reinforcing the total ban on Single-Use Plastic.

July 17: Chümoukedima Deputy Commissioner has informed that Dimapur-Kohima Road stretch of NH-29 in the district will be open from July 18 from 5 am to 6 pm for light passenger vehicles.

July 25: The Government of Nagaland (GoN) reiterated its stand against the implementation of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the State and has told the 22nd Law Commission of India (LCI) that any such proposal is ‘direct threat’ to customary laws, social and religious practices of Nagas.

July 27:  Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, in an interim order on July 27, has suspended a letter issued by Chungtia Village Council (CVC) debarring T Chalukumba Ao from “being part of Chungtia village” as well as a notification “ex-communicating” him from the village for lifetime.

July 31: Nagaland government issued a directive directing in-service government doctors to stop private practice. The directive required all in-service doctors, both availing and not availing Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA), and engaged in private practice to either close down their private hospitals or terminate their partnerships within one month.

August: Widespread objections to the Amended Forest (Conservation) Act 2023 emerged in Nagaland.

August 4: Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench issued a show cause notice to Additional Chief Secretary (CS) and Finance Commissioner (FC) Nagaland asking as to why appropriate proceedings should not be drawn up for non-compliance of the Courts order dated December 5, 2022 and March 14, 2023. The December 5 order directed the Nagaland Government is to re-constitute the expert committee to examine the monthly honorarium to VGs of Nagaland in compliance.
- Labour department toll-free number 18003090407 was launched “keeping in mind the interest and welfare of the workers of Nagaland State.”

August 7: The Nagaland Government issued guidelines for the prevention of Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle in Nagaland.

August 15: Nagaland is envisaging development of a ‘new modern planned city’ in the State, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed in his address at the 77th Independence Day celebration in Kohima. The Urban Development Department has submitted detailed proposal to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for incubation of a new city in Chathe Valley Chümoukedima district over an area of around 39 square kilometre, he added.

August 20: The admission of the first batch of 100 MBBS students at the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), the State’s first medical college starts.  

August 16: The People for Animals (PFA) and Humane Society International/India (HSI) have filed a writ appeal against the judgment and order passed by the single-judge Bench of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench on June 2, 2023 on Dog meat issue.

August 19: In view of the rising cases of conjunctivitis (eye flu) especially among the school going children, the Deputy Commissioners of few districts ordered suspension of physical classes in the schools for a week.

August 23: With the identification of cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in multiple locations within the Kohima district, the Deputy Commissioner, Shanavas C has issued a restrictive order including designation of infected zone.

August 30: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Dimapur led by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) in a representation to the Nagaland Governor La Ganesan stated that the “entire CSO’s of Dimapur aspire to lift NLTP Act, 1989” from the district with “proper mechanism.”

September 1: As on September 1, Nagaland recorded a total of 227 confirmed dengue cases as per the government records.

September 12: Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023 introduced in the NLA and referred to a Select Committee under Rule 73 (D) of the Rules and Procedure and conduct of Business.
-The NLA unanimously resolved for exemption from the proposed enactment of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), in its application to the State of Nagaland

September 13: Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland and Hotel Polo Towers Group inked a lease agreement for development of 4/5 star or high category hotel with entertainment and retail facilities at Dimapur Tourist Lodge Dimapur and erstwhile New Millennium, Kohima.

September 14: The NLA adopted a resolution counteracting the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023. The NLA resolution read, “This 14th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly hereby resolves that the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 will only be applicable to the State subject to the constitutional guarantees provided in Article 371-A of the Constitution of India.”
- The NLA speaker announced a 7-member Select Committee to examine the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023 headed by Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang as convenor.
-- Amendment of Rule 50 & 51 of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board Regulations– 2020” stated that examinations will be conducted in all district headquarters while there will be rotational composition of the Board.

September 15: Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland, Rupin Sharma issued the sternest last warning yet to the State’s cops on the issues of drug abuse, trafficking, and alcoholism. He further stated that police personnel, from bottom to top-level, would be shown “no mercy” and penalised with ‘sukha’ discharge – the informal term for forced premature retirement without any benefits.

September 26: Hotel Polo Towers Group has forged a partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, to introduce the state’s “first-ever” 5-Star properties.  An update from the state IPR stated that the agreement encompasses the development of two remarkable projects: a 5-star hotel with a mall in Dimapur and another 5-star hotel in Kohima. Combined, these projects will feature over 200 extravagant rooms.

October 9: The unemployment rate Nagaland has seen a significant decline for the third consecutive year, reflected the sixth annual PLFS report released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). During the period from July 2022 to June 2023, the unemployment rate in the 15 years and above category halved to 4.3%, as against 9.7% registered in the June 2021-July 2022 period.

October 11: Chang Wedoshi Setshang (Chang Students’ Conference) has decided to initiate its 1st Phase of Agitation by shutting down the Sao Chang College (SCC), Tuensang from October 12 till its ‘Charter of Demands’ regarding the college are fulfilled.

October 22: The CWS called off the indefinite agitation following the “written assurance” given by minister for Tourism and Higher Education Temjen Along and concern authorities on October 20.

October 14: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed students from other parts of India to study medicines in the medical college in Nagaland. Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemical & Fertilizers, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya formally inaugurates State’s first medical college-Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences & Research (NIMSR), Phriebagie, Kohima.

October 27: A total 2899 dengue positive cases and one death have been reported across Nagaland as on October 26, 2023, the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare informed the media.  Dimapur district recorded the highest number of dengue positive case with 1398, followed by Mon at 933, Wokha- 197, Kohima- 141, Kiphire-59, Mokokchung-46, Longleng-17, Peren-47, Phek-23, Tuensang-  1, Zunheboto-6 and 31 from others (those who come from Assam and tested positive). There is no report of dengue positive case from Noklak district and one death was reported from Mon district.

October 29: A total of 1523 dengue patients were admitted to District Hospital (DH) Mon in just over a two-month period, from August 14 to October 27, according to an official record. Another 23 patients were referred outside the district. This contradicted the previous DoHFW data, questioning data accuracy.

October 31: Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam released 1st report on Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2023 published by the Directorate of Economics & Statistics, which among others, highlighted that the state is one of the most multi-hazard prone states of India.

November 4: Two Multi Level Car Parking (MLCP) lot were inaugurated at the state capital Kohima – one by Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri at NST bus station and another at Old Medical Directorate (PR Hill) by Nagaland’s Governor La Ganesan.

November 7: Bye-Election to 43 Tapi Assembly Constituency.

November 9: Nagaland Municipal Bill (NMB), 2023 with provision for 33% reservation for women in municipal bodies was passed at the third session (Emergent session) of the 14th NLA.

November 10: The Nagaland Government apprised the Supreme Court that the process of municipal elections with one-third quota for women will be completed before April 30, 2024.

November 12: A fire ravaged a block of thatch dwellings in Naharbari village, Dimapur leaving 5 dead and around 40 families homeless. The property damage resulting from the fire was estimated at 61.4 lakh as per initial assessment.

November 22: ENPO and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU) meeting signals emerged participation of its members in the Hornbill Festival scheduled from December 1 to 10.

November 30: Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) affiliated with the ENPO as its eight-federating body, paving ways for smooth progress of proposed FNT.

November 30: Nagaland Governor La Ganesan has extended greetings to the people of Nagaland on the occasion of the 61st statehood day.

December 1:  On Nagaland’s 61st Statehood Day, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called upon the people of the state to “rededicate ourselves to the aim of making Nagaland a developed state in every respect.”
- The 24th edition of the ten-day Hornbill Festival 2023 kicks off

December 3: Nagaland’s ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Wangpang Konyak won the Tapi Assembly (ST) seat for which the by-election was held on November 7.
- Holding that only a single-minded, determined approach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi can bring an end to the complex Naga issue, the ex-Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr SC Jamir, has urged him to make the final decision on the Naga political issue in the next two months.
- Later, Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) and Dimapur-based civil society organisations also called for early solution to the Naga political issue.
- ‘Crime in India - 2022’ report compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) informed that after surging by 38.46% in 2021, ‘Crime Against Women’ declined by over 9% in 2022, designating Nagaland as the ‘safest’ among the states in India. In absolute numbers, ‘Crime against Women,’ under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and ‘Special and Local Laws (SLL),’ decreased from 54 in 2021 to 49 in 2022. 
- Dispelling popular perception, accountability and transparency seem to rule roost in Nagaland, with official data suggesting ‘zero’ corruption case in the State in 2022. 
- While Nagaland continues to have one of the lowest suicide rates in India, the State saw a concerning 14% year-on-year increase in suicide cases in 2022 with NCRB’s ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022’ highlighting it increased from 43 cases in 2021 to 49 cases in 2022.

December 6-7: Should the practice of traditional weaving be open to both Naga men and women, or should it remain exclusive to Naga women? Is weavers’ remuneration commensurate with the labour involved? What are the ways forward to address the sustenance of the art of weaving in Nagaland?  The second day of the 9th Naga Loin Loom Festival in Diezephe village on December 7 turned its lens on gender norms, fair wages, and sustaining the art of weaving itself.

December 7: The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs) took exception to the reported remark made by Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio purportedly stating there is apparent “deadlock in the ongoing Naga political talks. Indo-Naga political talks concluded, not deadlocked says, WC-NNPGS.

December 8: The NSCN (IM) issued a statement that the last round of formal Indo-Naga talks that took place on November 14, 2023 in Delhi was “not conclusive but not a deadlocked.”

December 9: Members of the Phek District Maytas-Gayatri Damaged Victim Association (PDMGDVA) imposed a 12 hour road blockade in Phek on December 9 as protest against the delay in timely release of damage compensation by the State Government. The Second phase started in

December 10: The 24th edition of the ten-day Hornbill Festival 2023 concludes with a total of 154,057 visitors at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. These include 2,108 foreigners and 37,089 domestic tourists, and 114,860 local tourists from Nagaland.

December 13: Out of the 49 personnel under investigation for involvement in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case, the Nagaland Police has dismissed eight, while three government servants from different departments have been arrested informed by Director General of Police (DGP), Rupin Sharma.
- PDMGDVA informed that it is postponing its third phase of agitation scheduled from December 14 onwards following a meeting with Nagaland’s Power & Parliamentary Affairs Minister, KG Kenye in December 13 and his assurance to bring up important matter before State Cabinet meeting scheduled on December 15.

December 19: To facilitate the efficient development of National Highway projects in the State, Nagaland Government has notified that henceforth Land Compensation and Damage Compensation will be provided to individual/community landowners for the construction of all National Highway Roads declared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in the State, State DIPR informed. 
This notification extends to the acquisition of land required for the construction of NH projects and additional land/Right of Way (RoW) necessary for development beyond the existing road in the present NH, it said adding that the notification will be effective immediately.

December 25: Christmas celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Nagaland.

December 29: The Naga Club demolished the old building of the Naga Club in Kohima “in order to facilitate the new building to come out early.” Naga Club will soon work out for construction of the new building, an official said.