Nagaland Chief Minister Rio inaugurates new district Tseminyu

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 24 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday officially inaugurated Nagaland’s 13th district Tseminyu, more than two months after it was announced along with Niuland and Chumoukedima. 

Addressing the gathering, Rio said the Rengmas, though a small community, have “greatly contributed” to the Naga society and participated in all the important events of Naga history.

“Your contribution to the Naga society is much larger than your tribe,” he said. When the “maximum contributions” came from the Rengmas, he said it was apt to tag Tseminyu as the “historical district”. 

Citing some of their contributions, Rio said the Naga flag was first woven by a Rengma woman and hoisted in the area. They were among the signatories of the Naga Club’s memorandum to Simon Commission, 9-Point Agreement, and 16-Point Agreement. The founding members of the Naga Hills District Tribal Council included a Rengma Naga. Further, late AZ Phizo’s wife was also from Rengma community, the chief minister pointed out.

He believed that their contemporaries’ blessings had reached them today, while encouraging them to carry forward the “good legacy” of their leaders. He also suggested them to keep a record of their contemporaries’ participation and contributions in the Naga National Movement. 

Rio said that the decision to upgrade Tseminyu as a full-fledged district was consensus. Taking into consideration the creation of four new districts, he said developments would be brought about but based on the urgency in view ‘limited resources’. Therefore, he asked the people to set priorities that the government can look into. 

He observed that Rengma is a tribe with “integrity, kind-hearted, rich culture, and tradition”, while calling upon them to make the district a role model for economic development.

Rio further informed that the 17th district of Nagaland, Shamator, will be inaugurated on March 4, 2022.

The first deputy commissioner of the Tseminyu district, Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi, said that Rengma Nagas had a unique history in upholding the Naga identity and had been a pioneer for the Naga National Movement.

Tseminyu set afoot for a separate administrative headquarters of the Rengmas with the establishment of Rengma Bench Court on June 18, 1948. It came as an EAC circle in April 1965, SDO in January 1981, and further upgraded to the sub-division headed by ADC in June 1991 and DC on December 20, 2021, Chuse recollected.

‘Tseminyu is considered to be the “most peaceful” district in the state. It is inhabited by 39 recognised and three unrecognised villages with a population of 56,108 (2011 census), covering an approximate area of 715 sq km. It has two administrative headquarters and a certified township with two RD blocks. There are 27 state government offices, three central offices, and three banks,’ he added.

He went on to point out that the most felt need by the district is to set up the NIC and Election department with proper infrastructure, keeping in view the upcoming elections.

Advisor for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services and Women Resources Development, R Khing said that the Tseminyu district creation was one of the ruling government’s promises and that has been fulfilled now. He went on to say that the government of the day is living up to its promises and has fulfilled its slogan ‘change is coming’.

President of Rengma Hoho, Pollem Tep said the district creation is a testament to the solidarity extended towards an enduring aspiration, finally fulfilled by the government of the day. He added that Rengmas heartily welcomed and accepted the unanimity for granting the district.

Citizens were all barefooted but the government of the day saw the opportunity to provide a business to the people of the Rengmas, he said. He went on to add that the community would always be welcoming his (CM) guidance in the days to come.

 It may be mentioned that the upgrading of the Tseminyu subdivision to a full-fledged district was announced on December 18, 2021 along with two other districts Chumoukedima and Niuland. The official notification of the new district creation came two days later. A civic reception of Tseminyu district’s first deputy commissioner and first superintendent of police, Kanchan Kandpal Kumar was held earlier last month.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, Advisor for Information Technology and Communications; Science and Technology and NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon, NPF MLA Yitachu, President of Tenyimia People’s Organisation, Timikha Koza, and Commissioner, Nagaland, Rovilatuo Mor, also addressed the gathering.

Earlier, Rio unveiled the monolith of the Tseminyu district at the deputy commissioner’s office complex.

The CM was accompanied by the Minister for Soil and Water Conservation, Geology and Mining, V Kashiho Sangram, Minister for Housing, Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum, Advisor for School Education, KT Sukhalu, Adviser for Horticulture, Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan, Adviser for Technical Education, Election Medo Yhokha, and MLA Amenba Yaden