Imkong Walling
The state of Nagaland began with three districts, namely— Kohima, Tuensang and Mokokchung. It increased to seven in 1973 with Mon, Wokha, Zunheboto and Phek carved out of the former three. Some 24 years later in 1997, Dimapur district was carved out of Kohima, followed by three more in 2004, in the form of Peren, Kiphire and Longleng.
The total number of districts became 12 with the creation of Noklak in December 2017.
The number would likely increase if the existing demands for upgrading administrative sub-divisions into districts are acceded to by the government. At present, there are as many as seven sub-divisions aspiring to become districts with Niuland in Dimapur also joining the race following the Dimapur District Planning and Development Board (DDPDP) recommending a proposal to the state government.
The DDPDP’s proposal, which made the news, served to renew other longstanding demands with two district demand committees in Aboi and Tobu (both in Mon district) issuing public statements reiterating and justifying their demands for bestowing district status to the two sub-divisions.
Tseminyu in Kohima, Mangkolemba in Mokokchung, Shamator in Kiphire and Bhandari in Wokha are the other sub-divisions that have also publicly expressed desire to become districts.
Generally, districts are created or redrawn for ease of governance and for efficiency in service delivery— in other words, for administrative convenience and the power to create or redraw districts resting solely with the state governments.
In the case of Nagaland, other dynamics — primarily tribal and electoral in nature, together with a good dose of public disaffection over the prevailing governance — come into play.
As has been apparent from the grounds outlined by the various district demand committees, a case of economic and development disparity emerges. From a governance perspective, the demands seem justified given the years of governmental neglect.
Conversely, becoming a district should also not be regarded as a surefire formula for development. All round growth results from transparency in governance, including checks and balances for equitable distribution of resources and honest implementation of development programmes.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
