Various tribal bodies including Dimapur Tribal Hoho Forum (DTHF) have extended support to the state government’s decision to shift the Dimapur DC office to new DC office complex, Chumukedima.
In a press release, DTHF president Zhato Kimho and secretary Wanthang Rengma said that the decision for location of new DC office was taken during Dr. SC Jamir’s chief ministership, who they claimed “made it clear why Dimapur District should be located at Chumukedima.”
Justifying the shifting of DC office, the forum said that any development was carried out by taking into account the future expansion, accessibility, population growth etc.
They said that the location of the new DC office at Chumukedima was, therefore, right and convenient for the people of the district.
DTFH said that location of new DC office was centrally located and was accessible from every direction by road. It also said that the site was connected to NH-29 and there was no traffic congestion.
On nomenclature of the district headquarters, the forum said that name of other district headquarters was named after the local name or their tribal language like Mokokchung after Aos, Zunheboto after Sumis etc. The forum, however, maintained Dimapur was the name of non-Naga language and located very close to Assam and having problem. DTFH argued that the only commercial hub of Nagas and most important city “cannot be located in such confused site.”
Further, the forum said the purpose of location of the new district headquarters has a purpose for administration. DTHF said the location should be at an ideal place where there was no obstruction in terms of access by every citizen, village, sub-division etc. for timely action.
Claiming that population of Nagas in Dimapur district was more in rural areas, DTHF claimed that sub-divisions surrounding Dimapur such as Kuhuboto, Medziphema, Dhansiripar, Doyapur, Jalukie, Chumukedima, Seithikima etc had more population. It said rural people were unable to bear the costly fare to access DC office Dimapur due to traffic jams.
The forum also said that district headquarters belonged to the people of the district and not only to a few concentrated at the town.
Therefore, DTHF said that the Dimapur District Citizens Forum (DDCF) and civil society groups formed by a few organisations of Dimapur town “cannot claim and take decision on behalf of the district.”
The forum said that the state government took the right decision after thorough study and taking into account all angles.
15 tribal bodies say ddccf does not have public mandate
Meanwhile, at least 15 tribal organisations have sought to set the record straight concerning the objection raised by DDCF against shifting of DC office Dimapur.
In a joint press statement, Mao Hoho president M John Kape, Poumai Hoho Dimapur president KA Jotham, Rongmei Community Dimapur vice president K Golmei, Thangal Union Dimapur general secretary H Keisenba, Zeliang People Organisation Dimapur president Ngauloibe John, Tenyimi Woman Union Dimapur president Neivi Chakhesang, Maram Union Dimapur president S. Rang Mathew, Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur president Vibozo, Chakhro Angami Kuda Union president Zhato Kimho, Naga Tribal Union Chumoukedima Town general secretary Longshi Kikon, Rengma People Organization Dimapur president Wanthang Rengma, Tenyimi Youth Organization Dimapur general secretary Khrozote Kapfo, Western Chakhesang Hoho treasurer Wezote Tsühah, Pochury Hoho Dimapur president Zhitho Nyuthe and Inpui Hoho Dimapur general secretary Ranison affirmed that they were not a party to the “anti-development and anti-people position” adopted by the DDCF against the government’s decision “to shift the DC office to its rightful place.”
The signatories said that DDCF does not represent the voice of the entire citizens of Dimapur district and “in no way carries the people’s mandate to speak on this issue.”
The signatories said it was “highly objectionable that the self-styled and un-mandated DDCF with vested agendas” was interfering in the functioning of the government.
The organisations welcomed the “wise and farsighted decision” of the government on the matter, which they said was “for the sole benefits of the entire citizens of Dimapur district.”
The organisations have, therefore, appealed to all the right-thinking people and organisations to come forward and support the government.