Holding banners and placards, protester march towards the SDO (Civil) Dhansiripar office during a peaceful public rally organised the Joint Coordination Committee of Villages for Dimapur District on February 10. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dhansiripar | February 10
The hurt over constant ignorance by an unresponsive Nagaland government after taking an arbitrary decision without consent or consultation was the recurring theme as the determined public of Dhansiripar area on Thursday came out in throng for an emotional rally against what they termed as “forceful amalgamation” into another district.
The peaceful public rally organized under the aegis of the Joint Coordination Committee of Villages (JCCV) for Dimapur District, comprising of 45 villages and attended by people from all walks of life with placards and banners against the merger of Dhansiripar sub-division and four other villages with the newly created Chümoukedima district.
The rally culminated with the submission of a memorandum to the Nagaland Chief Secretary through SDO (Civil) Dhansiripar demanding ‘immediate modification or rectification’ of a State Government's December 22, 2021 notification listing the administrative jurisdiction of Dimapur and Chümoukedima district. The JCCV cautioned that it would resort to “further severe steps” till their desire/demand is achieved.
Earlier, JCCV Spokesperson and President of Dimasa Public Organisation Nagaland (DPON) K Naben informed the initiative for the committee was first taken by the Sema-Dimasa Union Dhansiripar Sub-Division (SDUD), and four villages from Urra Area- Tsithrongse, Singrijan, Muresi and Khopanala joined later. As those areas opposed to joining the newly created district comprised of different tribes and communities, they decided to form the JCCV.
When enquired as to whether the villages were consulted before the creation of the new district, the he replied: No never. ‘Here, I want to categorically tell you that some villages had consented to be with Chümoukedima but villages of Akahuto, Dhansiri River and Dimasa villages and four villages in Urra area,’ had not, he added.
Naben further highlighted that even before the State Government notification for the creation of new districts on December 20, the Aqahuto Tokukujo Kukami Kuqhakulu, (GB’s Union) Aqahuto, Dimapur on November 13, 2021 through DC Dimapur had communicated to the State Government of their desire to remain in Dimapur in case of “eventual bifurcation” of the district.
A joint memorandum was also submitted by officials of ATTK and SDUD to Chief Minister on December 22 against “alternation/shifting of 45 villages of Dhansiripar Sub-Division and villages from administrative area of Seithekema Circle from Dimapur to Chümoukedima. “
The DPON has also made a public representation to the Chief Minister on January 4, 2022 detailing why it should be part of Dimapur district, he said. However, it was informed that the State Government has not responded to any of these or other representations for “reason best known to them.”
‘We expected some replies but it (the State Government) never came out with any sort of positive initiation or reply. We fell neglected. That is why we are holding the protest despite the pandemic,' the Spokesperson said, while adding, “Is not that we dislike Chümou. It is just that we favour to be with Dimapur.”
Queried on the JCCVs’s ultimate appeal, he said, “Invite us physically and take our views if needed, we are ready to meet the government provided we are invited officially.”
Lack of consultation and response was reiterated by President ATKK and Convenor JCCV, Lughozhe K Swu, who asserted that negotiating time with the State Government is over.
We are no right to negotiate with Nagaland Government because the latter had never invited us and shared with us, he said about the declaration of the Chümoukedima district.
Meanwhile, Swu said that the movement to stay in Dimapur district would continue. ‘Whatever we are doing, we will stand till the end – from first and last – death or alive we will be under Dimapur. This is our human rights,” he asserted. ‘We are not football to be kicked here and there. In this earth no one else can make us enter into Chümou, except God, he declared.
However, he conveyed JCCV readiness to talk, if invited by the State Government.
Also speaking on the occasion, SDUD President Vekuto Swu stated that they are standing for the future and “till the end, we shall fight with cooperation.” The State government must listen to the public opinion. Divide and rule without any concern is not good, he said.
He further underscored that the people do not understand why government took the decision when a “big issue” of border between Dimapur and Peren is yet to be resolved. Nevertheless, he appealed the State Government to respect public opinion like a family saying 'the government can revoke or rectify any cabinet decision.'
After the submission of the memo, Swu added that, if there is no response, we will take the second step properly.
Tsithrongse Sangtam, Head GB Tsithrongse and Co-Convener JCCV also noted that the decision was made without any consultation. Everyone understands why we are protesting, he said, adding, “We won’t back down.”
Pizu Langthasa President Dimasa GB’s Union also argued that if the State Government does not ‘love’ the public, the latter should act accordingly. He also highlighted the intimate connection between Dimapur and Dimasas and asserted, ‘Morili bashilibi Dimapur najarebo.
The unilateral decision has hurt the Kacharis ‘very much’ Langthasa noted, adding that while they are called a minority, they are in majority but divided into ‘different parts.’
On non-response to several representations by the State Government, he asked, Memo Dustbin de belaishe? “Whatever the response, be ready,” he said regarding the latest memo, adding that the movement once started would continue till the fulfillment of justice.
DPON General Secretary, Munuhor Thaosen also noted that the Chief Minister, though kind-hearted, has made a blunder by unitarily creating a district without consent. ‘We are not opposing the new-created district, but taking of decision without consent from concerned tribes,' he said.
A women attending the rally noted that she came as “Dimapur is our heritage” while appealing the State government to refrain from “dividing us and not ignore the public.” “Our sentiment is hurt. If the memo is ignored, we will take further steps.”
Another simply added: “Our stand is that, before we were in Dimapur, is staying in Dimapur and give us justice to stay in Dimapur.”
