DIMAPUR, JANUARY 3 (MExN): The Rengma Hoho in a press release justifying the bandh lamented that successive state governments have neglected the issue since its inception.
All 12 districts in Nagaland were created purely out of necessity and not on the basis of population and territory or number of MLA seats. Likewise, Tseminyu sub-division should be upgraded to District Headquarters on grounds of necessity and on tribal considerations like in other cases, the Hoho argued.
“Nagaland state was created not on the basis of population or territory but out of administrative necessity on tribal considerations, on political grounds, and to meet the sentiments and aspirations of Naga people,” it said.
Citing history, the Hoho further pointed out that when the Naga Hills districts were created with its headquarters at Samaguting (Chumukedima) in 1866, Rengma was the backbone for formation of the district.
It further maintained that Rengma like other Naga tribes have “equally contributed for the cause of Nagas if not more.”
“Rengmas are second to none for the cause of Naga people. Nagas got statehood because of their struggle since the formation of Naga Club in 1918,” it added.
Further, the Rengma Hoho highlighted that when the Naga People’s Convention made its 16 Point Agreement with the Government of India in July, 1960 and created ‘Nagaland’ as the sixteenth state of the Indian Union, Rengma tribe was a signatory of the agreement.
“All signatory tribes were rewarded with district except the Rengma tribe which is yet to be rewarded a district,” it stressed.
While arguing that new districts are created for administrative convenience or ease of administration for better implementation and monitoring of schemes and also maintaining law and order in remote areas, it noted that it can also “be split or created based on the cultural factors.”
There are no fixed standard criteria and the creation of new districts all over the country differs from region to region based on political will and necessity, the Hoho maintained.
In the like and manner on which other districts in Nagaland were created and more importantly in acknowledgement of demographic, administrative and population of 56,844 (as per 2011 Census), the Hoho said, “There appears to be no concrete reason why Tseminyu sub-division be conferred the same status and recognition and it needs to be upgraded with the government policy to bring administration to the doorstep.”
While acknowledging the action of the government for creation of EAC HQ to one village - Khezhakeno, based on its historical importance in the history of Nagas, it called for Tseminyu ADC HQ to be upgraded to District Headquarter on grounds of unique historical importance and significance of Tseminyu administrative HQ, the 5th administrative headquarter position indistinct background and history of the Rengma Tribe.
“The Rengma Hoho, on behalf of the Rengmas, hope that the Government of Nagaland will recognize and consider our genuine demand and upgrade Tseminyu sub division to a District Headquarter in the best interest of the general public,” it added.
