Location: With an area of 2,536 sq kilometers or 15.3% of the total area of the state, Tuensang is the biggest district in Nagaland. Situated in the easternmost part of Nagaland, Tuensang shares its boundaries with Myanmar in the east, Mon and Longleng to the North, Mokokchung and Zunheboto to the West, and Kiphire to the South.
History and people: The areas under Tuensang district were part of the ‘North Eastern Frontier Agency” (NEFA) as part of the Tuensang area which remained untouched by the British colonial administration even after its neighbouring areas were subjugated during the 1920s. Though it was included within the category of Naga tribal areas under Assam and placed under political control, practically, there was neither sign of political control nor any administration till the transfer of power in 1947. Accordingly, an Administrative headquarter was established at Tuensang HQ on June 16, 1948.
The name of the district Tuensang originated from the name of the district headquarters, namely, Tuensang, now an urban area and the administrative centre of the District. The town also follows the name of a village which is situated close by.
Till 1971 Census, Tuensang district included the present Mon, Longleng and Kiphire district as a whole. Later, in 1973 Mon district was carved out of Tuensang with 6 administrative circles. In1986, when 2 circles of Tuensang District, namely Monyakshu circle having 7 villages and Tobu circle except Tobu village, were again transferred to Mon District.
After 2001 Census, some major jurisdictional changes took place in Tuensang. 2 new districts namely, Longleng and Kiphire were carved out with an area of 562 sq.km and 1130 sq.km respectively.
After administrative re-organisation, Tuensang district was left with 10 circles having an area of 2536 sq.km. However, 6 more circles were created after 2001 Census in Tuensang. Former Tuensang Sadar Circle was divided into 4(four) Circles namely, Tuensang Sadar, Sangsangnyu, Ngoungchung and Sotokur while Noklak was divided into 3 (three) Circles namely, Noklak, Chingmei and Nokhu. A new Circle Mangko was carved out of Chessore administrative Circle.
On account of these changes Tuensang district had 16 (sixteen) administrative Circles, 1 (one) Statutory Town and 144 villages (including 6 uninhabited villages) during 2011 Census.
There are officially four recognized tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam and Yimchungru and a sub-tribe Tikhir under the nomenclature of Yimchungru inhabit the district of Tuensang. All the tribes however, differ from each other to some extent in physical makeup as also in customs, traditions, culture and language. Each individual tribe has its own rich culture and tradition.
Important festivals in the district are – Chang’s Naknyulüm celebrated in July; Mongmong celebrated in September by the Sangtam; Metemneo celebrated in August by the Yimchungru; and Khiamniungan’s Tsokum celebrated in October.
Vital Statistics: At 1,96,596 persons, Tuensang was the 4th most populated district in Nagaland according to 2011 Census with a sex ratio of 929 (Number of female per 1000 males). However, in terms of density of population, it was at 9th Place (78 persons per sq. km) by virtue of being the biggest district in Nagaland in terms of area at 2,536 sq. km). The Average household size of the District was 5 persons per household.
The District had a literacy rate of 73.1% and Children in the age group 0-6 were 35,790 (18.2% of total population). There were 144 villages in Tuensang with Tuensang Village as the most populated village at 8,974 persons. The village having lowest population was Kihoto Theological College Campus (under Shamator Circle) with 12 persons. Flora and Fauna:
With 3,082 Sq.Km (72.89% of the geographical area) designated as forest according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2014-15, Tuensang District is endowed with a conglomerate of the bountiful flora and fauna and a treasures trove for nature lover and tourism.
Important places include Noklak, a village situated on the borders of Tuensang District and inhabited by the Khiamniungan tribe, which is popular for its cane works, handicrafts and artifacts.
Changsangmonko and Chilise villages lie in the chronicles of legend and history. Changsangmonko is supposed to be the spot where all living organisms first appeared on the face of the earth, Chilise is loosely recorded as the place where the last headhunting took place in August 1978.
Replete with legends of the exploits and stories of the Nagas when they lived as one big family, Chungliyimti is scattered with vestiges of the past. Longth Üroh (Longtrok) or the legendary six stones, lie here in the midst of other ancient relics of the Tsongliyanti/Chungliyanti civilisations. Tsadang is home to two stones, known locally as Long Akang Threla; according to legend, these two living stones, who were friends, used to visit Longterok. The village of Tsadang is located just 4 km away from Tsongliyangti/ Chungliyanti.
Administration: The district is looked after by a Deputy Commissioner under whom there are 16 administrative revenue circles each headed by either an Addl. Deputy Commissioner/ Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) or an Extra Assistant Commissioner as follows:
1) DC's Office, Tuensang
2) ADC's Office, Shamatore
3) ADC's Office, Noklak
4) ADC's Office, Longkhim
5) SDO (C) Office, Noksen
6) SDO (C) Office, Thonoknyu
7) Panso EAC Headquarter
8) Nokhu EAC Headquarter
9) Chingmei EAC Headquarter
10) Ngoungchung EAC Headquarter
11) Mangko EAC Headquarter
12) Chessore EAC Headquarter
13) Tsurangto EAC Headquarter
14) Sangsangnyu EAC Headquarter
15) Sotokhur EAC Headquarter
16) Chare EAC Headquarter. The District Executive Force is headed by Superintendent of Police, Tuensang. The SP is assisted by Additional S. P.; SDPO (Tuensang) and Dy.SP (Reserve).
The district has 9 Police Stations namely: 1. Tuensang PS, 2. Noklak PS, 3. Longkhim PS, 4. Shamatore PS, 5. Noksen PS, 6. Chessore PS, 7. Sangsanyu PS, 8. Panso PS, and 9. Thonokyu PS. The lone police outpost is Chare Police Outpost.
The district also has an Office of the Dy. Inspector General of Police (NAP) Tuensang which also serves as the Battalion Headquarters of 3rd NAP Battalion. It was created on May 1, 1967 at Chumukedima but was shifted to the present site on April 30, 1968, with ‘C’ Coy as an advance party under the Command until all preliminary developmental work was completed by 1st week of June 1968.
Sources: District Human Development Report – Tuensang (2014), Department of Planning and Coordination, Government of Nagaland (GoN) and UNDP; District Census Handbook- Tuensang (Census of India 2011), Directorate of Census Operations, Nagaland; Directorate of Tourism, GoN; Nagaland Economic Survey 2015-16; and Nagaland Police Directory.
