The content may be a bitter one for some but to many it may be worth nothing. The daily news abounds with the magnitude of delimitation issues which is gone out of cage for the reasons best known by both concerned people as well as decision making authorities.
The simple truth on the whole issue is that unqualifying districts under the guidelines of Delimitation are not willing to part with their A/C seat/s for the deserving ones. It is a clear revelation that had A/C seats been distributed in the best manner in the beginning in the interest of all Nagas, there would still be room for any deserving case/s even now for adjustment but some might have played game to gain more seats at the cost of others right from the beginning.
Public are made to understand that population strength as per census figure of 2001, tribal composition, geographical continuity, administrative structure are some of the criteria to determine for A/C adjustment.
Nagaland attained statehood out of political agreement between two contending parties – GoI and Nagaland – which is known as 16 Point Agreement. Had there been no political movement by the Nagas, there would not have been an agreement.
While reiterating Naga underground movement for Independence, Rengmas had played no lesser role than others which need not be explained here to tell Naga brothers. But one thing about Rengmas needs to be clearly explained herewith for a better understanding as a tribe, because Naga Society is founded on tribal background.. I mention this not on tribalism motive but on our Naga Society foundation.
The British officials who contacted Rengmas from 1824 till 1931 could not project the exact total population of Rengma at any point of time. Out of 71 Rengma villages that existed then (52 in Rengma Hills and 19 in Naga Hills District) only 32 villages were located and roughly calculated at 4 persons in one household in 1848 under Rengma Hills and revenue of Re. 1/- per house was collected for 2 years and thereafter stopped. After a gap of 20 years, these 32 villages were reasserted to pay house tax as before and created two Rengma mouzas – East and West Rengma Mouza by appointing Rengma Mouzadars responsible for revenue collection. In 1866, when Naga Hills District was created, these Rengma Hills was clubbed with Naga Hills District and after living together with other Nagas for 32 years under Naga Hills District, in 1898, Rengma Hills was transferred out to the adjoining District of Assam, separating with Naga Hills Rengmas and other Naga brothers.
In 1931 census, Rengmas under Naga Hills District was shown as 6,321, but in 1961 census, it was shown as 5,000 only. The reason is because NNC directed Nagas to boycott 1952 and 1957 Indian election and 1961 general census. The 5,000 Rengma population as shown is only the population of Tseminyu and Tesophenyu Villages which the then authority had taken as Rengma population.
Otherwise, here is a clear record presented by Butler in his tour record: Immediately to the North of Sema, a tribe called Mezamah or Rengma existed, 7 villages containing 2,000 houses which, roughly speaking, contain a population of about 10,000 souls from which tribe, owing to interesting feuds some immigrated to the West in the ancient days.
A man like late Dr Hokishe who was well aware of Rengma condition better than any other supported Rengma for 2 (two) interim body members and accordingly, Rengma had two interim body members, namely late Riga Thong representing southern Rengma and Lothi Semy representing Northern Rengma. But how come Rengma was allotted only one MLA seat when statehood was attained in 1963 through political agreement between the two contending parties, GoI and NPC. During Naga Independence movement, Rengma had been leading leaders but during the distribution of the spoils, unethical game was played and the Rengmas were sidelined.
In today’s delimitation game also no district is going to part a seat of A/C, for deserving district and instead logical game is being played on the science of adjustment within the district.
For Kohima District, Angami has done adjustment but Rengma in Kohima District though qualifying for two seats cannot ask for additional seat for Rengma from Angami, for the Angamis are also qualifying to retain their A/C seats comparing with other district condition and also they are a distinct tribe.
I say Rengma is qualifying for additional seat because, as of now, the population stands more than 53,000, which is double of some constituencies of other district population, have a separate administrative jurisdiction, have a separate R.D. Block and a distinct tribe with distinct dialectic region south and north (as pointed out).
Under the given circumstances, we would prefer to say that the concerned authority, unless consider Rengma case, should transfer us out to Karbi-Anglong to let us live happily with our people who had been transferred out in 1898 to live side by side with their ancient neighbour – the Ahoms. By doing so we also will not feel lonely for some ancient blood bothers of Rengma would accompany us and also Nagaland can gain lone Tseminyu A/C seat to be given to the other deserving tribe.
Khillo G Rengma
Dimapur
