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Pughoboto public demanding creation of Pughoboto district on Jan. 30.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 30 (EMN): Residents of 24 villages under Pughoboto sub-division of Zunheboto district on Tue. participated in a public rally to demand the creation of Pughoboto district, according to a DIPR report.
The rally, held at the local ground of Pughoboto town, was organised by the Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho (SAH) and Pughoboto district demand committee (PDDC). After the rally, they submitted a representation to the additional deputy commissioner of Pughoboto.
The PDCC members justified their demand by way of pointing out that Pughoboto was one of the oldest sub-divisions in the state after it was accorded the status in 1986. “It mentioned that despite their geographical proximity with Kohima they were placed under Zunheboto district in 1986 on the ground of tribal consolidation,” the report read. The ‘level of development and standard of existence under both districts – Pughoboto was once part of Kohima – ‘has not seen any progress owing to sheer neglect and other multiple reasons’, according to the report.
“Historically, it said that on their experience of the twenty three (23) years under Kohima district and thirty one (31) years under Zunheboto district after the attainment of statehood, has proved for them not worthy to be under any district,” the DIPR report read.
It also reported that the people of Pughoboto ‘were among the first who upheld, supported and nourished the movement of Naga nationalism during the time of its inception’ for which they have been made to suffer over the years.
“They bore the worst brunt of Indian atrocity and also sustained and revived the spirit of Naga nationalism. According to the Pughoboto district demand committee they sacrificed all that they had and because of this reason Pughoboto area was declared ‘hideout of Naga nationalists’ and saying (sic) that have been left unattended by successive state government without development on this ground – a fact no one can deny,” according to the report.
It appealed the government of Nagaland “to recognize our level of sacrifice and accord us full-fledged district” while contending that ‘if the spirit of Naga nationalism is alive today, we claim that we are the reason that deserves priority’.
“Sumi Aphuyemi Hoho president Inavi Swu who gave the keynote address and the welcome address said that the official documents will also be handed over to the chief minister of Nagaland.” the rally adopted 8 points to underscore the Pughoboto’s demand to be upgraded as a district, the DIPR report informed.
