Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s monsoon session begins in Kohima with two flashpoints set to shape an intense first day: a motion to curb “satanic worship” and a structured debate on rising unemployment, alongside key bills to be introduced by the Chief Minister.
Urgent motions set the tone
A notice by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu on “Prohibition of Satanic Worship in Nagaland” has been admitted under Rule 54 and scheduled after Question Hour today, enabling an immediate ministerial response without floor debate.
The Nagaland Joint Christian Forum has urged caution to avoid a full-scale discussion that could drive publicity, whilst affirming support for prohibition within constitutional limits linked to public order.
A separate notice under Rule 50 from Advisor Hekani Jakhalu backed by Advisors Wangpang Konyak and Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome puts unemployment on the agenda as a definite and urgent matter for focussed debate without a formal vote.
Beyond these two topics, the session could surface discussions on job reservation policy, Inner Line Permit implementation, and aspects of the Naga political issue, following a Political Affairs Committee meeting on the eve of the sitting. These strands reflect broader governance pressures expected to influence questions and statements across the three-day schedule.
Bills and reports on the table
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is set to introduce the Nagaland State Finance Commission Bill, 2025, and the Nagaland Flood Plain Zoning Bill, 2025, framing fiscal devolution and land-use regulation as legislative priorities. He will also present the Nagaland Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2024, as amended by the 2022 rules.
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The House is slated to table audit and committee documents, including the Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board Audit Report for 2020–21 to 2022–23 and internal working rules for committees on Environment and Climate Change, and on Urban Local Bodies and Village Councils. These documents signal a busy docket that pairs oversight with procedural strengthening.
Opening-day schedule and stakes
Day one includes obituary references for former Governor La. Ganesan and former Assembly member Nungsangyapang, followed by questions, ministerial statements, and laying of reports. The session runs today, pauses for a recess on September 3, and concludes on September 4, compressing legislative business and urgent items for swift handling.
What today may decide: The Rule 54 motion on a proposed ban will test how the House balances religious and social concerns with constitutional protections, amid calls to prohibit harmful practices without amplifying attention. At the same time, the unemployment discussion under Rule 50 is poised to press the government on recruitment, job creation, and measurable steps for youth and educated jobseekers.
Taken together, the breadth of the agenda points to a pivotal opening day where immediate statements and structured debate could shape policy direction in the coming months. Attention will also track potential discussions on reservation policy, ILP, and the Naga political issue as members navigate a tightly scheduled session.
