Apropos to the article ‘House Tax vs Census’ by Neivor Rutsa that appeared in local dailies, wherein comparison has been made between Tesophenyu, the biggest village in Rengma, and some Western Angami villages. While appreciating his viewpoint I would like to also highlight some facts which he may have overlooked.
In the same coin, I would like to request our friend to remember whether or not the Rengmas in Kohima district are bona-fide members of the district and whether or not we deserve justice and democratic right enshrined under the constitution of India. The Rengmas as bona-fide members of Kohima district were completely ignored and the (so called) “alternative proposal” paper for Kohima district was clandestinely carried out on 19-03-2007 without a single Rengma represented and the Rengma leaders were again ‘over shadowed’ during the meeting on 21-03-2007 at the CM’s residential Office for which we protest.
In his write up Neivor had pointed out that Angamis have 5 A/Cs and one in Kohima town for anybody’s game. As far as Kohima urban constituencies are concerned, it will be a dream for other tribes or community to play the game and win. In fact Kohima town A/C for the last 44 years is being held by our Angami friends and even in future also, they will continue to retain the seats unless they want to gift it to other communities, which is not likely. Whether or not to part away with A/C is not in the hand of Rengmas or Angamis, the constitutional law shall have its own decision based on justification.
Mention may be made that Medziphema Circle (erstwhile) Ghaspani A/C comprises major Angami vote which is still retained by them.
Clarification is hereby made to the facts and figures of house tax and population given. Number of house tax paid does not necessarily reflect number of households. Tesophenyu household in 1991 was 983, and population stood at 7689. In 2001, the household was 1584 with population at 11,132, as per census which is authenticated by Administrative Officers.
Another fact which he may not know of the ground reality is that due to space constraint for expansion in our village, 2 to 3 families live under a single roof as joint families, thereby paying a single house tax in most cases.
Runoho Magh, Tesophenyu Village
