John Kath
President, Kandi Public Union
Rengmas are also like any other tribes in Nagaland living in their own ancestral land having their own distinct culture, customs, traditions and languages. They also maintain good neighborly relationship with all their good neighbors. Some of the important historical facts about the Rengmas are as follows; during the first World War the British East Company requisitioned 2000 Nagas as a Labour Corps and sent them to France in 1917. They were, 1000 Semas, 400 Lothas,200 Rengmas and 200 Changs and trans -frontier Tribes. In Naga movement, Rengmas took part and were signatories from beginning till today such as formation of Naga Club in 1918, Simon Commission in 1929, sir Akbar Hydar Ali nine points agreement in 1949 and Naga Plebiscite in 1951. The Rengmas were also one of the first culture troupes (Kandi group) participated on Indian Republic Day on January 26, 1960 in Delhi.
The worst history of the Rengmas was in between 1952 to 1956 where the NNC Headquarter was located in Rengma area and first Naga Flag was hoisted there. Most of the Rengma villages were burnt down to ashes e.g. Phenshunyu was burnt down three times and Sendenyu village was burnt down twice and the villagers fled to jungles, surviving with the support of tree roots and wild fruits. The villagers were hunted and shot dead and whoever were captured were brought and kept at the concentration camps. This is how many Rengmas were killed and died out of starvation or sickness. Rengma area being the stronghold and the Hq of NNC, the census 1961 could not be carried out and the clerks of Deputy Commissioner Kohima randomly giving the census figure of the Rengma population as almost all the Rengma villages were burnt down and the people were put into designated concentration camps under the strict vigilance of India Army at that point of time. Again another worst part of Rengma history was that the Rengmas had two members in the 42 member House in the Interim Body (Kohima district-15, Mokokchung-14 and Tuensang-13) but when it was increased to 60 Member House, Rengmas instead of getting additional seat lost one seat. This unethical political decision in the early 1960`s shattered the future of the Rengmas which the present generation are struggling for survival. The unequal distribution of Assembly seats led to marginalization of the Rengmas in the Naga society politically, economically, human resources development, employment opportunity. For example, in NPSC Exam not a single Rengma could come out as EAC/DSP in 1990 to 2000.
Rengmas are at bottom most, so far the recruitment through NPSC is concerned. This is happening due to unequal representation, unequal distribution of fund as a result the parents could not afford to send their children to better institutions and the local products could never compete with their counterpart from better institutions. Moreover instead of lowest of the lowest in employment ratio, Rengmas have been deprived from backward quota (funds and job reservations) nor there is any special dispensation to bring up the Rengma community at par with the advance tribes or to the level of backward tribes. The employment avenue and petty contract works in all the District Hqs. privileges are given to indigenous inhabitants of the district but unlike other districts, the appointment in Kohima district Head Offices are opened to all Nagas .This is how the Rengmas are facing difficulty to get employment and remain at bottom most in the field of employment and the area remain economically backward. In view of the above, I wish and pray that the honorable Chief Minister who is the most veteran politician and the longest serving Chief Minister in the state will go extra miles for consideration of Tseminyu district.
.JPG)
