The Delimitation Act which is now the hottest topic in the state is being discussed and debated in every nook and corner of Nagaland. Some supporting it and some opposing it, which I feel every Tribe/District has the right to do so, as we are living in the so called world’s largest democratic country. And it is the bounden duty of the state government and Delimitation Commission to listen to the rights and voice of the people and do adjustments, maintain status quo if needed, add more Assembly seats to the merited and deserving Constituencies fulfilling the desires and needs of the people of the State. After all, what is the Government there for, and is the purpose of the Delimitation Act by the Central government for people’s benefit or to bring turmoil and chaos in the State? Therefore, here the Election Commissioner who is also the Delimitation Chairman of the State, CEOs, DCs and DEOs of all the Districts of Nagaland should implement this Delimitation exercise in complete fairness and merit without bias or partiality towards any Tribe or Area. If this Act is not properly implemented it could hamper the progress and future of some Tribe for generations to come of which you would all be solely responsible.
We, the Rengma Public, strongly support the Rengma Hoho’s stand for full implementation of the Delimitation Act, for which there was a call for 24 hours total bandh blocking NH 61 at Rengma Area on March 27. We also in strong support of our concerned leaders’ write-ups in your esteemed paper express our resentment and displeasure over the treatment meted towards the Rengma tribe in preparing the new draft proposal of Assembly Constituencies for the Kohima District on March 19 and the happenings on March 21 at the CM’s Residential Office where even the Rengma Hoho President was not given time to speak and finally bringing out the fabricated alternative proposal which was not at all agreed nor endorsed by the Rengma Hoho or any of our leaders. Attendance signature can never be treated as endorsement or acceptance of the proposal. Any fool can say that. We fail to understand whether this is an exercise of Delimitation Act or a Humiliation Act on the Rengma Tribe of Kohima District. We the Rengma public are deeply hurt and shocked at the bias treatment by none other than some of our Angami leaders whom we always considered as Big Brother leaving us feeling badly betrayed; we are being humiliated for no fault of ours and we cannot take that.
As you are aware, the Rengma is a major tribe and, proud to say one of the advanced Tribes of Nagaland, is one among the only two tribes in Kohima District. It is amply clear and not necessary for me to mention or remind the history of the Rengmas eligibility or merit of the Rengmas deserving 2 (two) A/C seats as our concerned leaders have mentioned all that there is need to in their write ups and articles. And as has been said, the claim of the Rengmas is not on compassionate grounds but a genuine one. With a population of above 53,000 even according to 2001 census which is double of some Constituencies of other Districts population and so we undoubtfully qualify for two Assembly Seats and our case is most deserving.
Therefore, it is our most humble appeal to the Delimitation Commission and the Associate members of the State Delimitation Committee, most honored Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and Election Minister Thenucho to kindly give consent and approve the deserving case of the Rengma Tribe. You may not feel much difference or gain much by adding one more feather to your cap by depriving the right of the Rengmas but it would make a lot of difference if we lose our deserving seat during this Delimitation Act offered by the Centre.
We the Rengma public strongly reaffirm our support to the stand of the Apex Rengma Hoho and that there should be full implementation of the Delimitation process in Nagaland and the Rengmas must be allotted two A/C seats in Kohima District by all means. We will stand by our leaders and our claims will be fought for till the last. We also appeal to all our right thinking leaders of Nagaland particularly our Tenyimia leaders to give us your support now when we need it most in claiming our rightful share and let the chain of Tenyimia brotherhood stay stronger than ever before.
May this Delimitation Act not merely be an exercise or a game of some people with vested political interests, but let this be a blessing for all people of Nagaland especially for those who had been long neglected and ignored due to fewer representatives in the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly.
Kegwalo Khing, Kohima town
