Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio faced backlash from netizens after his visit to Kisama amidst the ongoing crisis caused by a devastating landslide on National Highway 29 near Pherima. The incident, which has claimed six lives and caused widespread disruption, has left the public questioning the Chief Minister’s priorities.
At around 9 AM, CM Rio took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his concern over the large-scale destruction caused by incessant rainfall on NH-29. He tweeted, “Authorities are on-site assessing the situation & helping those affected. The State Govt will continue to pursue with the GoI & @nhidcl for immediate measures & restore normalcy at the earliest.”
However, later in the day, as more grim news from the landslide scene emerged including the funerals of the landslide victims, the Advisor to CM, Abu Metha, posted a tweet that sparked public outrage. In the tweet, Metha mentioned accompanying CM Rio to Kisama, the Naga Heritage Village, to oversee preparations for the upcoming 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival. He praised the departments involved in the festival preparations and highlighted interactions with officials from the Tourism Department, including Minister Along Imna and Commissioner Zhimomi Kitto.
The tweet was met with criticism from the public, who were already reeling from the tragedy and the lack of a proper alternate road between Kohima and Dimapur. Many accused the Chief Minister of misplacing his priorities, focusing on the festival preparations while the state was grappling with a disaster. The public outcry was evident across social media platforms, leading to the eventual deletion of Metha’s tweet.
By 6 PM, CM Rio issued another statement on X, acknowledging the disaster situation on NH-29 and the loss of six lives. He urged citizens to follow official advisories and assured that the government was providing emergency services and ex-gratia. “I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” he added.
Despite the Chief Minister’s follow-up message, the initial response and Kisama visit continue to fuel public frustration, with many stating that the damage has been done.