The Rengma Hoho, an apex body of the Rengma tribal Nagas, today held a public rally demanding that Nagaland government upgrade Tseminyu sub-division to a full fledged district.
Tseminyu sub-division is now in Kohima district.
Addressing the rally amidst rains, Rengma Hoho president Kenyuseng Tep said Nagaland state was created not on the basis of population and territory, but out of necessity of tribal consideration on political ground.
"All the 11 districts in Nagaland were created purely out of necessity, not on the basis of population and territory nor MLA seats," he said.
Longleng sub-division of Nagaland having a population of 50,854 (2011 census) was upgraded to a district out of political necessity, he said adding Tseminyu with a population of 56,844 (2011 census) too deserves to be a district,.
Rengma Hoho submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister T R Zeliang through ADC of Tseminyu after the rally.
According to the deputation, while the Naga Hills district was created with its headquarter at Samuguting (present Chumukedima in Dimapur district) in 1866, Rengmas were backbone for formation of the district as major portion of Naga Hills district territory was land of the Rengmas.
The Rengma Hoho claimed that Tseminyu is the fifth administrative headquarter of Naga Hills but it still remains a sub-division and is presently 69 years old.
Some of the placards held by people at the rally read "Rengma are the signatories of the Simon Commission of January 16, 1929", "25 inglorious years as sub-division since 1991-2016", "Tseminyu sub-division is matured enough to be given separate district".
Addressing the gathering, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD (Housing), Levi Rengma said Rengmas have contributed so much for the cause of Nagas and the government should consider this demand and all Naga brothers should support it.
