Khillo G. Rengma
Bear with me and please read on. By the way, a very New Year wishes to all the readers. Rengmas as a tribe was very fortunate but now due to multiple reasons we have become very unfortunate. Here I wish to point out the most pertinent one as I perceived in support of my argument. Many may not know, and those who know also do not bother to express themselves. But I would rather say that I have heard enough lamentations from many Rengma elders about Rengmas. Our compact and contiguous geographical area stretching from the hills to the plains indicates the prowess of our forefathers in war and the size and extent of Rengma dominated country. But the sword of so called civilized -administration has cut us apart Rengmas are not alone but other communities facing west of Naga Hills also has suffered the same fate.
Record shows that Col. Richards Alfred was the first British Official to set foot on the soil of Rengmas at Nehibeben -abing near Nowgong (Dokmoka-Dobaka) in March 1824. Within a period of less than 25 years, Rengma country and other Naga countries in the plain area was surveyed, explored and brought under British Administration of Nowgong with Asaloo as a sub-division. Plain sector Rengma country was divided into West Rengma Mauza and East Rengma Mauza.
Further conduct of survey and exploration led to formation of Naga Hills District in 1866 thereby the Asaloo Administrative Headquarters was shifted to Samaguting (Chumukedima). Still further survey and exploration in 1874 by Dr. Brown Wood led to shifting of Naga Hills District Administration Headquarters to Wokha from Samaguting in 1875, but the same was further shifted to Kohima in 1878. Even then, there remain un-reached and un-administered Naga areas in the East.
The Nagas of diverse language speaking groups were not surveyed or explored at the same period of time by the British. This led to change and shifting of administrative Headquarters several times and even adjustment and re-adjustment of areas was done several times. As a result Rengmas in particular was the most affected in all respect. Rengma Hills created in 1841 (excluding Naga Hills District Rengma) were brought under Naga Hills District Administration in 1866 when the Naga Hills District Headquarters was at Samaguting; and continued to remain under Naga Hills District Administration till 1898. The two Rengma Mauzas paid their revenues from 1871 to 1898 till they were separated in 1898 from Naga Hills District to the adjacent Assam District (Nowgong and Sibsagar) in the name of administrative inconvenience for administrative convenience of British India Government. Thus the greater and larger portion of Rengma country was brought under Assam administration and the rest 9(nine) villages of main Rengma and Eastern Rengma (Pochury) were kept remain under Naga Hills District with Kohima as the Headquarters.
Though all Naga areas under Naga Hills District were under Assam Secretariat, when Statehood was granted to Nagaland through the agreement under the 16 points Agreement between Government of India and Nagas, only those areas under Kohima, Mokokchung and Tuensang (formerly under NEFA) were taken in as Nagaland State. Thus, we Rengmas under Sibsagar and Nowgong were left out.
When interim government was installed in Nagaland, Nagaland Rengmas under Tseminyu had two interim Body Members; but when Assembly constituency was installed in Nagaland, Rengma seat was reduced to one MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly).
On the history of Naga Movement for self-determination, Naga Independence declaration and hoisting of flag was done in the Rengma land. A Rengma, Late Mr. Whenha Kesen held the post of Prime Minister during Federal Governmentship and also during NNC period the post was again held by another Rengma, Late Rev. Meshüpfü Kent. Rengma was also one of the five member tribe signatories. When in trouble time Nagas wanted Rengma people's service, hence we have contributed humble services in the best possible way but during peace time when it comes to sharing of facilities, we are not even remembered as a tribe sometimes. After all Nagaland Statehood was born out of the agreement between Government of India and the Nagas (as a whole).
Rengma is the only tribe with Angami in Kohima District after carving out Phek and Peren Districts. Rengmas were one mistaken as Angamis during British encounter with Rengmas. Let us hope, Nagas do not mistaken Rengmas as an attached tribe. Rengma is also one out of the 16(sixteen) recognized tribes in Nagaland and has a right to enjoy their share of contribution for achieving Statehood.
As discussed, Rengmas are a distinct tribe occupying a compact geographical area but the cause of administrative inconvenience of British India, the Inner- Line Regulation Act 1873 line has been made the dividing line of the same ethnic people, placing Rengma Hill sector in Nagaland and Plain sector in Assam. That is why Rengmas are now in two States; Assam and Nagaland. In Nagaland one group is in Kohima District with Tseminyu as their Headquarters and another group formerly known as naked Rengmas (then known as Eastern Rengma) which Nagaland Government has recognized them as Pochury is in Phek District with Meluri as their Headquarters. Tseminyu is headed by ADC (Sub-Division) and Meluri also is recently up-graded to ADC Headquarter. Besides other concern people, we Rengmas truly acknowledge our brother Chakhesang concern for us in such a big way.
The ground realities of we Rengmas through-out all these eventful history shows we still remain as Rengmas and have suffered more than any other under the democratic system of Governance. Whether our rights are protected by a welfare Government before partition or after partition? We are neither against anybody nor others against us but the present Rengmas appears to be still not aware of our political history. Our political history should have made us wiser men by now. Politically, we had suffered the impact of British invasion, British India Administration, post India Independence events, Naga Independence Movement, Statehood democratic Process and Naga outlook in application of democratic system in the form of election with Party system (political). We Rengmas being comparatively in zero position with number politics in the House of 60 MLAs, why not we play zero politics in the political Subject. We don't need zero, but that is our status and therefore makes use of it to be useful by others. My contention is pragmatic approach to politics instead of party system political approach. In the contest of Rengma, party system is not meaningful but handful as seen these days in the local newspapers about Rengma Politics. A word of caution for Rengma intellectuals: Judge by the Standard of party-system politics press releases regarding Rengmas, we are responsible for what damages we have done to ourselves because the illiterate people has been taken or dragged into the party system politics and use all possible languages of contempt, arrogance, hatred, insult, abuse,... etc. for supporting one political party. I feel this practice or system is a negative approach and damaging not only to the person whom we contempt but it reflects our approach to the whole political party whichever we support. The intellectuals are doing good English construction of this sort on behalf and in the name of illiterate people. This is also spoiling the good qualities of other good Rengmas and therefore should be avoided. Well, let us be rational and try to avoid negative implications.
As for me, I would prefer direct democracy. Rengma need not play party system politics or multiple candidate politics like other tribes who has more than one Assembly Constituencies, for we have a precious 1 (one) Assembly Constituency which I call zero constituency in name only or for the sake of being a tribe. We need to apply our wisdom. We should not divide ourselves for one common goal. Are there any areas of our politics where we can put Christian touch to heal our agony and suffering? I would rather say we are lacking prudence and even common sense in exercising our democratic rights. Our degree of expression in the press should be, if necessary, appreciable.
We the Rengma intellectuals and intending political candidates should prefer for common good of all to lift the poverty stricken many. The few who lead a life of luxury should adopt a sober lifestyle and approach to Rengma issues and act the act of concern and care for Rengmas to have a better future instead of adopting partisan attitude.
As for me I cannot ransom Rengma for my having differences with a candidate. Rengma problem is more important than my individual problem with a candidate.
Rengmas presently employed by the Government stands at 3% only. Tseminyu sub-division appears weather beaten look, the impoverished Rengmas selling their forefathers inherited land rural parents unable to sent their wards outside for studies after completion of village school course, those few who sent also becoming drop-outs creating a social problem, transportation and communication problem in some pockets, lack of health care, Rengma name not coming across in NPSC exam for nearly two decades and still many more educated wallowed in abject poverty, etc, etc, is food for thought and we should try to find solution to our numerous problems. Life is a long journey, not a five year journey only, so we must make the best use of it for the long journey. Therefore it is my humble appeal to all Rengmas to sacrifice our individual interest for the Common interest of the Rengmas as a whole and vote with conscience in the fort-coming election without color, prejudice or anything else, lest we hasten to sink our political ship quicker than other Nagas. Readers are requested to bear with me for presenting my viewpoints in professional color of teaching. This is a personal submission not intended for debate; however, I would welcome personal discourse if anyone thinks necessary.
A story goes that once three-Indian learned men gathered in a village, each one boasted of his knowledge and therefore they decided to create a tiger. In spite of warning from a farmer who advised them to use their common sense, they made the tiger than decided to give life to it not paying hide to the pleas and advise of the farmer. And so the moment they gave life to the tiger, it sprang up and killed all of them except the farmer who had by then climbed up the tree. He was the only one saved. You can conclude the story to your liking for my conclusion will be lengthy.
(Khillo G. Rengma is Advisor of Rengma Hoho)
