Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio says he was caught off guard by allegations that a taxpayer-funded sports facility was built on private land. The project, a 3-crore rupee Multipurpose Hall funded through the Khelo India scheme, sparked local outrage. Civil society groups in Mangkolemba claim the hall sits at the private home of Higher Education and Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along in Longtho village, rather than the intended location in Mangkolemba town.
Rio addressed the controversy on September 17 during an NPF event in Chumoukedima. He confirmed he is now demanding a formal explanation from the Department of Youth Resources and Sports to determine how the project moved from its sanctioned site to the minister's residence. The state intended to prioritize district headquarters and sub-divisions for these facilities, but the current placement remains unclear.
Regarding the department's oversight, Rio told reporters, "If we build for every village also, it is not possible. So, the department, I don't know how they had done that..." The Chief Minister plans to release more details once the department delivers its full report on the matter.
Updated at 18th September 2026 at 10:00am
Rio, who currently holds the Sports portfolio, confirmed he is directly questioning his own department regarding the project's site selection. He reiterated that the state policy mandates building these facilities in district headquarters first, then moving to sub-divisions, noting that constructing halls in every village is not a viable option.
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