Pughoboto, January 30 (DIPR): Twenty Four villages under Pughoboto sub-division joined a public rally demanding creation of Pughoboto District today. It was held at the local ground Pughoboto town under the banner of the Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho (SAH) and Pughoboto District Demand Committee. After the meeting, thw PDCC convenor submitted a representation to the ADC Pughoboto. PDDC Convenor, G Kevishe and PDDC Secretary, Nitoshe said that Pughoboto is one of the oldest Sub-Divisions in Nagaland, which was elevated to the present status in 1986. The representation recalled that Pughoboto was placed under Kohima province (Elakha) by the Bristish; and later under Zunheboto District in 1986 on the ground of tribal consolidation. It said that the level of development and standard of existence under both the districts have not seen any progress owing to sheer neglect and other multiple reasons. Living conditions have remained almost the same as it was 72 years, it claimed, and said that 23 years under Kohima District and 31 years under Zunheboto District “has proved for them not worthy to be under any District.” It listed the problem of absence of all weather roads as a major concern. It further stated that the people of Pughoboto were “among the first who upheld, supported and nourished the movement of Naga Nationalism during the time of its inception.” According to the PDCC, the people of the Sub Division “sacrificed all that they had and because of this reason Pughoboto area was declared Hideout of Naga Nationalists.” It also lamented that the area has been left unattended by successive state governments without development on the ground. “The only reward of our sacrifice is the extreme backwardness, poverty and retardation of human development,” it stated, and urged the Nagaland State Government to “recognize our level of sacrifice and accord us full-fledged district.” “If the spirit of Naga Nationalism is alive today, we claim that we are the reason that deserves priority,” it added. It further claimed that Pughoboto has “zero dispute habitation,” and that the Angami, Chakhesang, Lotha and Rengma communities have been living in harmony. Stating that they have “no boundary disputes,” it maintained that social amity has prevailed in the area. The PDCC meanwhile reminded that Nagaland state was born out of political necessity and not otherwise. “If all conditionality set by Government of India were to be fulfilled, there would have never been Nagaland of today. Decades of public grievances and inconveniences call for urgent attention and rational redressal,” it added. Considering the above points, the PDDC appealed to all sections of Naga family to support the people of Pughoboto on this issue. “We sincerely pray that the Government of Nagaland will look into our case and accord us full-fledged District at the earliest,” it stated. The rally meanwhile adopted an 8 point resolution for a full-fledged Pughoboto District Status as the only solution for all round developmental parity “that will alienate the existing backwardness and promote future equality.”
