Firm Owned by Nagaland CM’s Son Served Show-Cause Notice

PWD seeks explanation from M/s Chabou and Co on Wokha–Merapani road work amid rising public scrutiny

By NIRENDRA DEV

Kohima, February 5, 2026 — A construction firm owned by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s son, M/s Chabou and Co, was on Thursday served a show-cause notice for delays in the execution of a key road project, officials confirmed.

The notice, issued by Chief Engineer Swarai Meru of the Public Works Department (PWD), seeks an explanation within seven days for delays in work related to the Wokha–Merapani road project.

The PWD portfolio is currently held by G Kaito, a senior leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), which is part of the ruling NPF–BJP coalition headed by Chief Minister Rio since 2018.

Officials indicated that the issuance of the notice reflects mounting public pressure over delayed infrastructure projects, compelling authorities to initiate formal action even against firms perceived as politically influential.

M/s Chabou and Co is headed by Kechangulie Rio, the Chief Minister’s only son. The company is a major player in Nagaland’s construction sector. Kechangulie Rio also serves as President of the Nagaland Cricket Association and is known to have extensive links within national and international sporting circles.

The development comes at a politically sensitive moment in the region. It occurred just hours after President’s Rule was revoked in Manipur, where a new BJP-led government under Y. Khemchand was sworn in at Imphal on February 4.

In the newly formed Manipur ministry, NPF legislator L. Dikho, who belongs to the Mao tribe, was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, underlining the continuing political coordination between NPF and BJP in the Northeast.

Chief Minister Rio, often described as the BJP leadership’s most trusted chief minister in the region, earlier led the NDPP, which formally merged with the NPF on October 21, 2025.

No response from M/s Chabou and Co was immediately available at the time of filing this report.

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About The Author

nirendradev

Nirendra Dev is Roving Editor of The Raisina Hills. He brings over three decades of political journalism with past in PTI and The Statesman. He is an author of several books.

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