Morung Express News
Kohima | February 12
Nestled in the foothills of Mt Japfü, the Southern Angami region of Kohima district assumes significance in the history of Nagaland Legislative Assembly as it produced the first opposition leader Vizol Angami in 1964, thereby completing all the components of a democracy in the state.
Home to twelve villages, the region is divided into two constituencies namely 14 AC Southern Angami I and 15 AC Southern Angami II.
Unemployment and sustainability are the greater issues at stake in the region, says a youth from the region. “If politicians want to bring real development in the Southern Angami region, we need the full swing functioning of all the health centres, schools, roads and drainage system,” says Keneiseno Neihu, a Research Student.
14 AC SOUTHERN ANGAMI I – A quadrilateral race
14 AC Southern Angami I has a total of 13,356 voters with 6263 male voters and 7093 female voters. There are 18 polling booths in the 14 AC Southern Angami I Constituency, comprising of Phesama, Kigwema, Pfuchama, Mima, Jakhama, Mitelephe villages and Chotobosti colony in Kohima town with four candidates from the National Peoples’ Party (NPP), Indian National Congress (INC), Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) and NDPP running for the elections this year.
Khrielezo Bio, 55 years, NPF
“I want to make a change in my constituency. I want to work on implementation of schemes in the villages and work towards the development of entrepreneurship,” says Khrielezo Bio from Kigwema village who is contesting for the second time.
Vikho-o Yhoshü, 66 years, NDPP
“It is my calling to serve the people. It is a challenging calling and difficult to fulfil,” says Yhoshü, standing MLA for the last two terms, from Kigwema village who wants to address the issue of unemployment and human resource development. Though not every person will be employed in the government sector, Yhoshü wants to provide skill development trainings for the young for self-sustenance.
Medokul Sophie, 52 years, NPP
"The Southern Angami region was one of the most forward areas in the past. But lately due to lack of vision and planning, the region is in a regressive state. We have been the leaders in many fields yet our pace has slowed down today,” says Medokul Sophie from Jakhama Village whose core concerns lay in addressing the needs and problems of the youth in his constituency. “I want to improve our agriculture techniques, and water management – which is an important issue with the Southern Angami region being a major water supplier to the capital,” says Sophie.
Nagakul Tase, 54 years, INC
Viewing that there has been no development in the past decades, Nagakul Tase from Jakhama Village wants to improve the quality of education especially on technical education if elected. “The greatest challenge in my constituency is that of the clean election where people are guided by money power,” says Tase.
15 AC SOUTHERN ANGAMI II - A two-way contest
15 AC Southern Angami II has a total of 17,383 voters with 8050 male voters and 9333 female voters. There are 23 polling booths in the constituency, comprising of Viswema, Khuzama, Kidima, Kezoma, Sakhabama, Kezo Town. Two candidates Kropol Vitsu from the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) and Zale Neikha from the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) will be contesting.
Kropol Vitsu, 54 years, NPF
“My first priority is for an early solution of the Naga peace process and development for peace. For my constituency, I am committed towards the upliftment of the downtrodden and education of the youngsters,” says Vitsu from Viswema village, who also wants to focus on self-employment, entrepreneurship, improvement of roads, and continuous supply of electricity which will impact the growth of entrepreneurship.
Zale Neikha, 41 years, NDPP
“I want to work as a catalyst in finding ways for self-sustenance in my constituency,” says Zale Neikha who is contesting for the first time in the general elections and is also the youngest candidate in the Southern Angami region. With the slogan ‘Youth Empowerment’, Neikha hopes to take holistic initiatives for uplifting the role of youth in Naga society, create employment avenues and “be an agent of development and bring our Naga people at par with the rest of the country.”
