Civil society organizations under Japukong range have issued a stern appeal to the Government of Nagaland, calling for immediate and concrete action to address what they describe as “over three decades of neglect” in road infrastructure.
In a joint meeting held on May 24, 2025, at Zulutemba Memorial Hall in Longchem, the Japukong Kaketshir Mungdang (JKM), along with Japukong Senso Senden, Japukong Watsü Mungdang, Japukong Youth Organization, Japukong Arogo Toklang Tenzüker Telongjem, Japukong GB Union, advisors, executives, and student leaders, unanimously resolved to press for intervention at the highest level.
According to a joint representation, “despite numerous appeals and representations over the years, successive governments have failed to provide even the basic infrastructure, with no significant road development over 25 years.” The poor state of roads, they said, continues to cut off the region from critical services and opportunities.
“The local populace endures daily hardship,” the groups stated. “Transportation is perilous, especially during the monsoon season when roads become impassable. Patients are unable to access timely healthcare. Students walk long distances under unsafe conditions. Agricultural products rot due to poor connectivity to markets. Lives are being lost, futures are being compromised.”
The house unanimously resolved to issue “an urgent and united appeal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, the Department of Roads and Bridges, and all relevant government authorities.”
The community outlined four key demands: immediate assessment and intervention from the Department of Roads and Bridges at the highest level; inclusion of Japukong road projects in the upcoming budget and development plans; a timeline-based action plan to ensure transparency and accountability; and sustainable, quality construction to prevent repeat neglect.
“Let this be the final cry before action—Japukong will no longer be treated as the forgotten land,” the statement added. They warned that continued government inaction would amount to “a failure of governance” and “a betrayal of justice.”
They further called on the state’s highest officials to personally visit the region. “Send its highest representatives to Japukong, not just to hear, but to see—to walk the broken roads, to witness the neglected schools, the crumbling healthcare, and the spirit of a people still standing tall in the face of abandonment,” the organizations urged.
“The time for reports and reassurances is over. The time for visible, tangible action is now. Let the government prove that no region, no community, and no voice in Nagaland is too small to be heard, too distant to be seen, or too forgotten to be served,” the statement added.
The declaration was jointly signed by Angemangyang (President) and Tiarenla (General Secretary) of the Japukong Kaketshir Mungdang.