Rengma Hoho Demand for Creation of Tseminyu–I A/C and Tseminyu–II A/C for Rengma Tribe
Sir,
We, the undersigned on behalf of Rengma Hoho (Apex body of Rengma Tribe public organization) have the honour to submit the following points for your perusal and necessary order for creation of Tseminyu–I A/C and Tseminyu–II A/C Constituency seats as per the Commission’s criteria.
POINTS OF JUSTIFICATION:-
1. That Sir, the Nagaland State population is 19,990,036, say 20.00 lakhs only according to General Census of India 2001. As such one MLA seat in Nagaland average stands to 33.00 thousand people. According to 2001 General Census, the Rengma population is 52,864, say 53.00 thousand which is slightly short but still very much within the range needed for creation of two seats as per the formula of the Delimitation Commission taking into consideration on grounds of distinct tribe, topography and vastness of our territory which has always being taken into account. Geographically, Tseminyu Sub-Division is located in the middle of Nagaland and our boundary in the west borders with Bokajan Sub-Division of Assam. Historically, Rengmas have been wronged. In 1961 Rengmas had 2 (two) Interim Body members (MLAs), late Shri. Riga Thong and Shri. Lothi Semy represented Rengma tribe in Nagaland Legislative Assembly but the Rengmas were deprived of 1 (one) seat during the 1st General Election of the new Nagaland State in 1964 for no apparent reason.
2. We would to like to ask the Commission where is justice if the statement of Mr. T.N. Mannen, Commission Member for Nagaland state and commissioner of Nagaland is true, which appeared in local papers recently wherein he stated that on grounds of tribal consideration there will be no transfer of seats from one district to another district but seats can be re-adjusted within the district. In that case, there is no Delimitation process in Nagaland. We would also like to know under what provision of the law can an MLA seat be permanently attached to district wise in Nagaland. Is this the Commission’s directive? If tribal consideration is taken into account, then why one MLA seat each from Wokha and Phek District were taken out and adjusted in other Districts in 1972 by the Delimitation Commission? At that time, was there any tribal consideration? Answer is no, then why now we talk about tribal consideration for retention of unjustified seat by its population. And also talking about peace process or political process to avoid delimitation in Nagaland is unjustified because it has nothing to do with the Delimitation process.
Sir, here we would like to bring out the following facts about population of some Districts, which have more seats vis-à-vis its population for your necessary action.
1) According to General Census of 2001, Mokokchung District which has 2, 32,085 (two lakhs thirty two thousand) population has 10 (ten) MLA seats. That means one MLA seat of Mokokchung district is equal to 23, 00 (twenty three thousand) population. According to worked out formula, one MLA seat in Nagaland equals 33,000 populations. Therefore, Mokokchung district is entitled to have 7 (seven) seats only, not 10 (ten) seats according to its population. Thus 3 (three) seats have to be taken out from Mokokchung district and adjusted in other districts where there are more population but less MLA seats.
2) According to General Census of 2001, Zunheboto district which has 1,53,955 (one lakh fifty four thousand) population and has 7 (seven) MLA seats. In this case, one MLA seat of Zunheboto district equals 22, 000 (twenty two thousand) population. But according to its population, Zunheboto district is entitled to have only 5 (five) seats, not 7 (seven) seats. Two seats have to be taken out from Zunheboto district to be adjusted in other districts.
3) Mon district has population of 2,60,652 according to 2001 General Census with 9 (nine) MLA seats. To retain 9 (nine) seats Mon district needs 2,97,000 population. In other words, Mon population is short by 36,000 and thus is entitled to have only 8 MLA seats. Here also one seat is to be adjusted in other districts where additional seat is entitled.
4) Tuensang district population is 1,91,805 according to 2001 General Census with 7 (seven) LMA seats, whereas its entitlement is only 6 (six) seats as per its population. One seat is to be taken out from Tuensang district and that seat is to be added to other districts where population is more but less seats to retain 7 seats in the same district 2,31,00 population is needed but still short by 40,000.
Now, we would like to request the Commission to seriously look into disproportionate distribution of MLA seats in the State of Nagaland which requires immediate delimitation in order to have justice and equality among all Naga Tribes.
1) According to 2001 general census, Longleng District population is 1, 21,581 but has only two MLA seats. In other words, one MLA represent 60,000 population. Again combined population of Longleng and Kiphire districts is 2, 23,013 having on 4 (fours) MLA seats whereas Tuensang district has 7 (seven) MLA seats out of 1, 91,805 population. In that case, where is justice?
2) Mokokchung district population is 2, 32,085 having 10 (ten) MLA seats and Kohima district population is 2, 20,000 which is almost same as Mokokchung district but have only 7 (Seven) MLA seats. Justification should be made known to public.
3) Wokha district population is 1,61,223 according to 2001 census having only 4 (four) MLA seats and Peren district population is 90,766 with only two MLA seats whereas Zunheboto district population is 1,53,955 but having 7 (seven) MLA seats. Why so much disparity?
4) The population of Rengma tribe under Tseminyu Sub-Division of Kohima District is 52,864 according to 2001 Census and have only 1 (one) MLA seats whereas in Zunheboto district one MLA seat equals 22,000 population and so also in Mokokchung district one MLA equals 23,000 population but in the case of Rengma one MLA seat equals 53,000 population. If Rengma continue with one MLA seat out of fifty three thousand population without delimitation, in that case Zunheboto district is also entitled only 3 (three) MLA seats, not seven seats and Mokokchung district entitlement is only 5 (five) MLA seats, not 10 (ten) seats according to their population of 2001 Census which is already mentioned above. Is it justified? If so, where is the justification? Why so much disparity?
Therefore, we once again on behalf of Rengma public pray your honour to kindly look into the matter and do justice to us by creating 2 (two) A/C seats Viz., Tseminyu –I A/C and Tseminyu-II A/C for Rengmas as proposed in the early representation dated 18th August 2005. Copy enclosed – Annexure ‘A’ to ‘C’.
Kegwanye Lorin, President
Zukeya Woch, General Secretary
