RSZ amplifies urgency for creation of Tseminyu district with 58 km walk

73 participants walk 58 km to Kohima symbolizing 73 years since inception of Tseminyu as an administrative unit in 1948

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 23

Intensifying its demand for Tseminyu district, 73 youths under the Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ) undertook a 58 kilometre ‘Walkathon’ from Tseminyu to Kohima on Tuesday.

The 73 participants symbolised the 73 years that have lapsed since the inception of Tseminyu as an administrative unit in 1948.

The RSZ stated that walkathon is one of its flagship events organised in solidarity with, and in furtherance of the Rengma peoples’ long-held aspiration and demand for creation of Tseminyu district; and to register its resentment over the lapse of 73 years since the creation of the Bench Court, Tseminyu in 1948, which still remains a sub-division unlike the other four Bench Courts and other districts created till date.

“This event is aimed at drawing the attention of the government towards the abysmal nature of decision-making with regard to creation of Tseminyu district; reminding it on the reality and urgency of the matter as well as the injustice experienced and sustained by virtue of the government’s indecision on the matter,” stated Kenneth Kath, president RSZ and Zukeya Woch, advisor RSZ & Convenor, RSZ Core Group.

The walkathon covered a distance of 58 km signifying the 58 years since attainment of Nagaland statehood. It was flagged off at 3: 00 am from 58 km the milestone along the NH-2 in Tseminyu sub-division to Kohima HQ. The participants walked for about 15 hours and culminated at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.

RSZ stated that 'Tseminyu District Demand Walkathon' is a democratic expression of the Rengma people's long struggle and aspiration for recognition as a community, of its unique history and identity as a tribe, as well as an administrative unit.

Stating that the walkathon is “a clarion call for justice to be served in due time and recognition to be accorded to the Rengma people in the interest of public welfare,” the RSZ said that it was a “very significant yet serious and agonizing means of non-violent protest, resorted upon as the means to voice out the concerns and aspirations of the people to the government.” It has been necessitated owing to the endless letters and expressions of representations, memorandums and appeals that seem to have either fallen on deaf ears or have failed to find significance in the eyes of the government as justified, compelling and urgent, it added.

The walkathon is thus aimed at signifying the long and never-ending struggle, the profound aspiration and endeavour of the community towards due recognition and aggrandizement through upgradation of Tseminyu district. It represents not only the history and identity of the tribe, but its struggles and challenges, as a way forward and as the answer and end to the struggles and deprivation of Tseminyu and its citizens, the RSZ maintained.

Reiterating that the unconventional but “physically and mentally tormenting” walkathon was a non-violent form of democratic indulgence organised to “rightly signify and aptly represent the true essence and gravity of the Rengma people’s long-drawn struggles and long-held aspirations,” it expressed belief that the popular government of the day would understand the depth and weight of the language of such a democratic expression with clarity in brevity.

The 'walkathon' is part of a series of RSZ flagship events of democratic expressions to amplify the Rengma people's aspirations and demand for a separate Tseminyu district. It was preceded by the ‘Tseminyu District Demand Voices Poster Campaign’ and ‘Tseminyu District Demand Motor Rally’ in addition to the over-the-table representations and expressions of the community led by the Rengma Hoho and its frontal organisations.

The walkathon represents the united voice and cry of the Rengmas as a community, with its own unique history, identity and merit, and need for recognition and emancipation, it maintained.
 
Submits representation to Chief Minister 

After the walkathon, the RSZ submitted a representation to Chief Minister Nagaland through Deputy Commissioner, Kohima which stated that the demand for a separate district and the justifications meriting the Rengma people’s aspirations “are matters in the clear knowledge and understanding of your esteemed office; the Rengma Hoho having submitted the latest of its many memorandums on August 25, 2021 on behalf of the Rengma community.” 

In the representation signed by RSZ president Kenneth Kath and RSZ joint secretary Kenyuhilo Semy, the RSZ also acknowledged the efforts made by the state government by way of constituting various committees to examine and recommend proposals related to creation or upgradation of new administrative headquarters, as well as creation of new districts in the state. The deadline for the latest committee constituted under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner, Nagaland to submit its report expires today (November 23), it added.

It stated that the Tseminyu District creation has not been given due priority despite going under the scanner of several committees in the past, while adding that “it has been 73 years since the creation of Tseminyu Bench Court, in 1948.”

Explaining the significance and symbolism of the walkathon, the RSZ representation further reminded the government of the people's long standing aspiration and struggle for Tseminyu District.  

“The RSZ, while assuring our continued cooperation and support to the government in all matters of public interest, registers our displeasure on the state government’s indecision on the matter; and affirms that it has and will continue to remain outrightly vocal and firm in action on matters concerning the community, having been mandated by the people to represent, uphold and promote its interests,” the representation stated.

Meanwhile, RSZ requested the Chief Minister “for considerate and timely action towards our justified cause, to renew the people's faith in fairness and justice.”