Rengma youth forums launch indefinite ‘dharna’
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Volunteers of Rengma youth organisations during the demonstration demanding Tseminyu district on Wednesday.[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 27 (EMN): Close on the heels of a notification of the state government announcing the upgradation of Noklak sub-division to a full-fledged district going viral in social media since Dec. 21 last, Rengma youth forums have intensified their demand for Tseminyu sub-division to be elevated to a district headquarter. The youth bodies- Rengma Selo Zi and Rengma Students’ Union (RSU)- have launched an indefinite ‘peaceful dharna’ on Dec. 26 at the ADC office complex in Tseminyu town, demonstrating with black flags and placards stating their demand.
“Our intention is not to create any violence and chaos, but a sit-in to demonstrate grief that justice is being denied to the Rengmas,” says Kenneth Kath, president of Rengma Selo Zi.
According to the youth forum, the ‘dharna’ would continue into the imminent new year until their demand is fulfilled. All the Rengma villages and ranges will be participating in the sit-in protest, it was informed. Towards this, the Rengma Selo Zi and RSU appealed to all sections of the society for support to the cause of their community.
On Wednesday, several leaders of the tribe including the president of the apex body of the community- Rengma Hoho, addressed the protesting youth at Tseminyu.
“Denying a District to Rengma is Denying Our Right”, “Enough of being the Oldest Sub-Division, We want to be the Latest District” and “Tseminyu District is the Legitimate Right of the Rengmas” are some of the slogans that are being put up on placards by the youth bodies. One slogan that stood out was “Restore our Position. DAN govt. peoples govt.”: a direct cry to the present Naga People’s Front-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government that it should restore the position of the Rengmas if it was truly a people’s government.
The contention of the community is that, the Rengmas have been part and parcel of the Naga political and historical movement- in the foundation of Nagaland state and they had also been a signatory of the historic memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. Therefore, they strongly asserted that their demand for a separate district is not unjustified and they are of the view that suppressing the Rengmas is a denial of their contributions.
Mention may be made here that the Rengma Hoho had, earlier in April 2016, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the same matter. The organisation had expressed dismay that the Tseminyu sub-division, one of the oldest administrative centres in Nagaland was neglected by successive governments since the inception of the state. It is of the view that a separate district for the community would enable the Rengma people to decide their own future politically, socially and economically. The community had also on July 27, 2016 staged a mass public rally in Tseminyu town demanding for elevation of the sub-division to a district headquarter.
As per the 2011 census, Tseminyu sub-division has a total population of 56,844 with 39 recognised villages, 3 townships, 2 rural development blocks and an outpost for an extra assistant commissioner, besides other established government offices and public institutions.
