In Nagaland — a state that serves pork at weddings, funerals, church gatherings, and every social occasion in between — district-wide bans now prohibit the sale, transport, and slaughter of pigs without official government certification. The bacon queue now runs through the veterinary department.
Following the confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) at Signal Angami Village in Dimapur on May 20, 2026, the Nagaland government declared a 10-km Infected Zone and surrounding Surveillance Zone and imposed district-wide restrictions across Dimapur, Mon, Chumoukedima, and Medziphema. All pork sales were suspended; live pig transport was banned; slaughter is permitted only with prior government clearance and veterinary certification. In a state where pork is not a dietary preference but a cultural institution — central to Naga festivals, social events, the Hornbill Festival, and daily meals — the restrictions effectively placed the heart of Naga food culture under bureaucratic licensing. Mon district went furthest, banning all pork sales district-wide. Government officials have promised enforcement and immediate action against violations. The state that has informally trademarked smoked pork now requires you to file paperwork before you can smoke it.