Rengma Hoho (RH) has reaffirmed its earlier stand to “vigorously pursue” for upgradation of Tseminyu sub-division to a district.
In a press note, RH president Pollem Tep and general secretary Sinhilo Thongseb said that reaffirmation was made during a general meeting at Tseminyu Town Hall on September 29, 2021. RH stated that Rengmas were a distinct tribe with a unique historical identity and rich cultural heritage with its own clearly-demarcated ancestral land. The hoho also said that Rengmas Nagas have always remained steadfast in upholding the Nagas identity and have equally contributed sincerely towards the Naga political movement, which it maintained “eventually resulted in the fruition of Nagaland statehood and beyond.”
However, RH said that the Rengma tribe, which was among the first five recognised tribes of Nagaland, was still under the administrative unit of Tseminyu sub-division while all the other tribes have attained recognition of having their own districts.
RH reiterated that Rengma people’s genuine aspirations and legitimate right to claim, safeguard and promote its interests and to enjoy equal recognition and privileges of having a district exclusively for the Rengma people. RH therefore, reiterated its appeal to the state government for immediate upgradation of Tseminyu sub-division to district on priority “based on justified rationale and the tribe’s unique identity and history”.