Dimapur, Aug. 6 (EMN): Following formation of a district re-organising committee, the Bhandari District Demand Committee (BDDC) urged the state government to take up the issue on priority for an inclusive holistic development in the region.
A BDDC’s press release issued jointly by its convenor, W Yingashumo Kithan, and the secretary, Chenithung Humtsoe, stated that a memorandum has been already forwarded to the state government after obtaining endorsement from the Lotha Hoho and recommendation of the district planning and developmental board (DPDB).
Substantiating its demand, the committee claimed that Bhandari is one of the oldest sub-division in Nagaland, which hosted a British Inspection Bungalow (IB) during the erstwhile British Raj in India. It stated that Bhandari was recognised as an administrative centre in 1957 while still a part of Assam’s Naga Hills district and subsequently upgraded to a full-fledged sub-division in 1981. The sub-division was upgraded to ADC headquarters in 1992.
The committee stated that Bhandari ADC jurisdiction has an area of 778.74 sq.km with 73 recognised villages having a population of 50,000 approximately (2011 census-33,845). It has four administrative blocks namely Ralan SDO (C), Baghty EAC, Changpang EAC and Bhandari Sardar ADC. Bhandari sub-division also shares boundary of 115 km with three districts of Assam namely Golaghat, Jorhat and Karbi Anglong.
It also informed that the distance from Wokha headquarter to Bhandari is 61 km, while the distance from Bhandari headquarters to the last village of Aqhuakito bordering Mokokokchung district is approximately 65 km via Assam. Similarly, distance from Bhandari headquarters to Ralan SDO (C) bordering Dimapur district is approximately 55 km via Assam as there is no direct road connectivity within the villages of Bhandari sub-division.
While considering the feasibility of its demand, the committee has urged the state government to take up the issue on priority.