Asa-thong Woch
Kohima
The pending decision of our State Government towards the Rengma Nagas on its demand of upgradation of Tseminyu sub-division into a full-fledged district has deeply saddened the said community. The different attitudes of the government towards the Rengmas for these long years and decades could be say, a big blow to the Rengma community. The kind treatment giving to the Rengmas at this hour is nothing but a total discrimination which is beyond expectation under any democratic set up of government. It is indeed, a matter of surprised that the government of the day has been trying to sidelined the demand and voice of the entire community by prolonging its decision.
Moreover, what the Rengmas demanding is all about a justice which is yet to be done by the government, and which the community deserved for many good reasons. The Rengmas, as a community would once again make its stands clear that, it is not demanding or asking anything beyond its limit or beyond the capacity of the government. Therefore, the government should not make further judgement or excuse to prolong its decision over again and again.
Why the government of the people is too reluctant towards this genuine demand? If one were to reflect upon past response and action of our government on creation of other districts, things were being done or arranged under certain consideration. But today, what happens to our government when it comes to Rengmas? WHY? Can this be called a justice?
Reflections: I. Wokha, Bench Court Chairman (1945) - Already District. II. Zunheboto, Bench Court Chairman (1947) - Already District. III. Tseminyu, Bench Court Chairman (1948) - Still Sub-Division. IV. Peren, Bench Court Chairman (1949) - Already District. What about the Rengmas for Tseminyu district? What excuses the government still wants to make after these much years? The government, while giving an importance to other should not leave out the Rengmas under this condition of 'Who cares and who not.' Why is it that the government has to let Rengmas cry for this much to ask for what it was supposed to be done long time back? Not forgetting that, what brought our Naga society thus far, and at what position our Naga society stands today, is also because the Rengmas too were there yesterday along with the other Naga tribes working hand in hand, contributing to this society. Be it small or big, much or little, it was done for the Nagas.
The government attitude towards the tribe seems to be more or less like, the Rengmas came from nowhere and demanding what it was never supposed to be here, is a total discrimination and mistreatment to the tribe. The government should not forget that, Tseminyu is also another place from where the Rengmas took steps and decisions for the future of the Naga society. As meaningful and important our Naga history is today, the Rengmas too had its role and touched in making it. After all, the government cannot be oblivious of the role played by the Rengmas for the cause of the Naga society. The government, ignoring the voice of the Rengmas at this point of time is an ignoring of the history of the Nagas on its part. What makes the government so hard to say YES, to the Rengmas this time again?
WHAT WRONG OR CRIME HAD THE RENGMAS COMMITTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE NAGAS, that the government feels the Rengmas don't deserve to get a district of their own at the hand of this, GOVERNMENT of the PEOPLE, By the PEOPLE, FOR the PEOPLE? What makes our government not willing to respond to the Rengmas inspite of giving repeated calls? There are many good reasons Tseminyu sub-division has to be and could be upgrade into a district. There is no reason it cannot be on the part of the government. It is a high time that the state government needs to give enough attention to this one of the state's oldest sub-division by upgrade it into district.
I hope and pray that our leaders shouldering the affairs of the government of the day would perform their duty by using the God's given wisdom and bring justice to the Rengma community at the earliest.
