The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has submitted a representation to the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, seeking urgent intervention for the vacation of land occupied by the Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Dimapur Airport.
In the letter, BAN stated that Dimapur Airport, one of the oldest airports in Northeast India, has remained stagnant for decades due to prolonged neglect and encroachments. It pointed out that 148 acres of airport land are under the temporary occupation of the ARTC, while an additional 14 acres are occupied by the CRPF.
BAN acknowledged the recent eviction of private encroachers from airport land, carried out with the support of civil society, describing it as a positive step towards upholding the rule of law. However, it said the continued occupation by government entities has created a “damaging double standard” that undermines public trust.
“Infrastructure development cannot have two sets of rules, one for private citizens and another for government entities,”the association stated adding that any entity obstructing a project of critical national and regional importance must be addressed firmly in the interest of equity and national development.
The association said it is understood that the Government of Nagaland has already allotted an alternative site at Shokhuvi for relocation of the ARTC. It alleged that delays in relocation, along with overvaluation and manipulation used to justify prolonged occupation, have made the ARTC the primary obstacle to airport development.
According to BAN, the continued occupation has blocked essential infrastructure works such as runway extensions and terminal upgrades required to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger capacity. It further stated that the occupation disrupts airport master planning, compromises safety buffers, and delays compliance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation standards.
“These constraints have resulted in operational inefficiencies, including limited flight schedules and reduced connectivity, hindering cargo facilities and directly affecting tourism, trade, and emergency response capabilities in Nagaland,” the representation stated.
Highlighting the broader economic impact, BAN said Dimapur Airport is a critical lifeline for Nagaland, which has limited transportation alternatives due to poor road connectivity, lack of waterways, and sparse rail links. It said the prolonged stagnation has contributed to unemployment among a large number of educated youths in the state.
The association warned that continued delays are fostering frustration and a sense of injustice among the people. It urged the MHA to treat the matter as a critical infrastructure and security issue and to direct the ARTC to vacate the occupied land and complete its relocation to Shokhuvi at Chumoukedima without further delay.
“Failure to act decisively risks invoking public ire and unrest, as the people of Nagaland cannot afford further delays in their pursuit of development and economic liberation,” the letter stated.
The representation was signed by BAN president L Mongkum Jamir and copies were forwarded to the Union Home Minister, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Members of Parliament from Nagaland, senior state officials, the Airports Authority of India, Dimapur, and the Naga Council, Dimapur.
