# Chümoukedima

Chümoukedima (/ˈtʃmʊkɛdimə/), previously spelled Chumukedima, formerly known as Samaguting, is a municipality in the Chümoukedima District of the Indian state of Nagaland. It is situated on the left bank of the Chathe and with its surrounding area that includes several other towns and villages, the Chümoukedima Metropolitan Area is the largest urban agglomeration in Nagaland in terms of area and third largest in terms of population, after Dimapur and Kohima.
Chümoukedima is the only municipality of the district of the same name. Chümoukedima was designated as the first headquarters of then Naga Hills District of Assam Province, British India, from 1866 until the administrative office moved to Wokha in 1875 and then to Kohima in 1879.

## History

During the British era from 1866 to 1875, Chümoukedima served as the first headquarters of the then Naga Hills District of Assam Province, when it was known as Samaguting, and coming to prominence during the 1944 Japanese offensive into Manipur and the Naga Hills during the South-East Asian theatre of World War II.
On 2 December 1997, the Government of Nagaland declared the erstwhile-Dimapur Sub-Division of Kohima District as a full-fledged District with Chümoukedima as its district headquarter. Construction of a new Deputy Commissioner's Office Complex at Chümoukedima soon began with the old Additional Deputy Commissioner's Office Complex at Dimapur continuing to temporarily serve the new district but over the years there were stiff oppositions from various Dimapur-based Civil Society Organizations to shift the district headquarters to Chümoukedima. On 18 December 2021, the Government of Nagaland in response split the Dimapur District into three separate districts—Chümoukedima, the existing Dimapur and Niuland.

## Geography

It is located in the foothills of Naga Hills. The Tourist Village on the top of a hill projects a bird's eye view of the whole of Chümoukedima District, Dimapur District and other parts of Karbi Anglong District of Assam. Waterfalls are also located in this area.

## Wards

The city has 11 administrative wards:
* Chaara Ward
* Chatherü-I Ward
* Chatherü-II Ward
* Chühotsa Ward
* Dzüde-I Ward
* Dzüde-II Ward
* Khadeirü Ward
* Pheluo Ward
* Phetso Ward
* Radeitsa Ward
* Seiurüzha Ward

## Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Chümoukedima had a population of 43,516.

## Economy

Chümoukedima is one of the fastest-growing urban centres in Nagaland. In fact, it forms part of the Chümoukedima–Dimapur urban area, which is the largest and the fastest-growing urban hub of Nagaland. The town's population has grown by nearly five times in the last two decades.

## Culture
### Parks

Appu Park is a park located inside Chümoukedima Police Complex. The Nagaland Zoological Park, Green Park, Aqua Mellow Park, Agri Expo site, Niathu Resort and Noune Resort are all located in the Chümoukedima Metropolitan Area.

### Media

Chümoukedima is home to Nagaland's first satellite television network: Hornbill TV.

## Transportation
### Air

Chümoukedima is served by the Dimapur Airport located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) north from the city centre.

### Road
#### Highways passing through Chümoukedima

* Asian Highway 1 : Tokyo – Chümoukedima – Istanbul
* Asian Highway 2 : Denpasar – Chümoukedima - Khosravi
* NH 29 : Dabaka (Assam) – Chümoukedima – Jessami (Manipur)

### Rail

Chümoukedima is connected with the Chümoukedima Shokhüvi Railway Station located 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) south-west from the city center. The Dimapur Railway Station is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) north from Chümoukedima.

## Education
### Universities and Colleges

* ICFAI University
* St. Joseph University
* Mount Mary College
* National Institute of Technology, Nagaland
* Patkai Christian College
* Tetso College

### Schools

* North Town Higher Secondary School
* St. Joseph Higher Secondary School
* DMI St. Joseph Global School
* Charis High Academy
* Godwin Higher Secondary School
* Mount Mary Higher Secondary School

## Notable residents
### Politics

* S. C. Jamir, Politician
* Salhoutuonuo Kruse, Politician
* Neiphiu Rio, Politician
* Zhaleo Rio, Politician

### Sport

* Chekrovolü Swüro, Sportsperson