KOHIMA, JULY 27: Braving the inclement weather, thousands of Rengma Nagas Wednesday thronged Tseminyu town to demand for upgradation of Tseminyu Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC) to District Headquarters.
On the day, young and old, men and women from all Rengma villages skipped their works and daily chores, and assembled at their sub-divisional headquarters, to attend the rally organized by the Rengma Hoho and other frontal organizations to demand for creation of Tseminyu as the 12th district in Nagaland.
Not surprisingly, the Tseminyu town was brought to a standstill as all the shops and schools remained closed. Vehicular movement on National Highway-2 running across Rengma areas was also affected for almost three hours. The public rally was held in the middle of the town, followed by submission of memorandum to the Chief Minister through the ADC Tseminyu.
In the memorandum, the Rengma public mentioned that Tseminyu administrative headquarters is now 69 years old and deserves upgradation to district.
The memo jointly signed by all the presidents of Rengma frontal organizations demanded that Tseminyu ADC be upgraded to District Headquarters on ground of necessity and on tribal consideration.
Justifying its demand, the Rengma public said “Nagaland State was created not on basis of population and territory, but out of necessity of tribal consideration on political ground in order to meet the sentiments and aspiration of Naga people. If we talk about population for creation of a district, in that case, none of the districts in Nagaland is qualified because the whole of Nagaland’s population is less than a district population of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.”They went on to state that all the eleven districts in Nagaland were created purely out of necessity, and not on the basis of population and territory or MLA seats. “In the same way, upgrade Tseminyu ADC to district headquarters on ground of necessity and on tribal consideration,” the memo said.
“When Naga Hills district was created with its headquarters at Samaguting (Chumukedima) in 1866, Rengma was the backbone for formation of the district because major portion of Naga Hills district territory was Rengma’s land. At that point of time, the district consisted only five Naga tribes, including Zeliang, Angami, Lotha, Sema and Rengma,” the memo said adding that the rest of the four districts have their own district headquarters now.
“If there was no Naga Hills in 1866, there would be no Nagaland today,” it reasoned.
Mentioning about the historical record that Tseminyu was the fifth administrative headquarters of Naga Hills, the Rengma public lamented that Tseminyu still remains as a sub-division only.
Naga tribes under Naga Hills district were only six tribes, viz Angami, Zeliang, Rengma, Sema, Lotha and Ao. There were only two administrative headquarters for Naga Hills – Deputy Commissioner at Kohima and SDO (C) at Mokokchung. To assist these two administrative centres, the government created the post of Bench Court Chairman for four remaining tribes – Lotha, Sema, Rengma and Zeliang.
Mentioning that the Bench Court Chairman for Wokha (1945), Zunheboto (1947) and Peren (1949) have all been created as district headquarters, the memo pointed out that the Bench Court Chairman for Tseminyu (1948) is still a sub-division. While asking the Nagas to reason out whether there was justice for the Rengma Nagas, the memo added that “like other Naga tribes, the Rengmas have equally contributed for the cause of Nagas, if not more.”
The memo also placed on record that district creation in Nagaland was not done on the basis of its population or territory.
“Longleng sub-division with a population of 50,854 (as per 2011 census) was upgraded to a district out of political necessity. Likewise, Tseminyu sub-division having a population of 56,844 (2011 census) and 38 recognized villages and three unrecognized villages, rightly deserves to be upgraded as a district.
Speaking at the rally, Parliamentary Secretary Er. Levi Rengma, who is the MLA of 12th Tseminyu Assembly Constituency, reiterated that a district is created on the need of the people and not on the basis of population or territory.
Stating that the Rengmas as a tribe, have been denied of their privileges for so many years, the MLA pressed for early creation of Tseminyu district for the larger interest of the Rengma people in particular and Nagas in general.
“Play no game with the sentiments of the Rengma people,” the MLA said adding that he won’t be bothered about the consequences of his political career as he was elected to represent his people and constituency. As they seek for recognition of district, Er Levi also urged upon the Rengma public for unity and cooperation. He regretted stating that they have lost so many precious years.
“Let us not blame one another, nor blame the rest of the Naga tribes. But let us blame ourselves for we also failed on our part as a people,” he said.
Former Congress Minister and the incumbent president of the Nagaland Congress Party, Nillo Rengma also said that Tseminyu is qualified to be upgraded as district.
Stating that the present Nagaland government is an opposition-less government, Nillo urged the Rengmas to seize the opportunity. He further urged the general public to render their fullest support to their MLA Er Levi Rengma.
Delivering a thought provoking speech, National BJP Vice-President for Scheduled Tribe Morcha, Johnny G. Rengma lauded the Rengma Hoho waking up the Rengmas from deep slumber.
“By denying in recognizing Tseminyu sub-division as a district, our rights as a people have been clearly denied,” he said maintaining that the Tseminyu sub-division should have been upgraded as a district long before.
“This is Rengma assembly and the gathering today is not only the voice of the Rengma people, but the pride and rights of our people,” Johnny asserted. He further said that Rengmas, on their part, have also been the seeds of the Nagas, and that the district creation will give further recognition to the Rengma family.
Former Minister R. Khing expressed hope that the rest of the Naga tribes will consider the demand of the Rengmas and extend their support towards this venture, while he also urged upon the Rengma community not to shy away but to stand up and speak for their rights.
Ex candidate Col Sajukha, in his address, stated that nothing comes so easily and therefore pleaded every Rengma to slog and sweat while they pursue to press their demand of district creation.
The rally, chaired by Kenneth Kath, president, Rengma Selo Zi (Youth Front), commenced with invocation pronounced by Haiwalo Apon, executive secretary, CRBC Zunpha.
• Rengma as a tribe deserves their own district. However, the final say for district creation depends on the State government. We wish to see the Rengma community progress along with the rest of the Naga tribes.
• There shouldn’t be any problem in Rengmas demanding for a separate district. If our Rengma brothers feel the need, if their socio-administrative institutions are capable enough to cater to their requirements and take the right approach, then the government should look into their demands. Should the demand be considered, the matter must not be a liability that generates social and other related uneasiness. Proper highlights on the matter and consultations with other institutions must be exercised well to avoid the purpose be hijacked elsewhere.
• I do not know if there is a criterion to qualify as a district. But in Nagaland, most of the districts were created basing on tribal lines. So, the Rengmas as a tribe deserves to be given recognition in their demand of upgrading Tseminyu sub-division to a district.
