Peren is the eleventh district of Nagaland, formed in 2004 after the bifurcation of Kohima District. It is strategically located having inter-state borders with Manipur and Assam while its proximity of state capital Kohima and state commercial centre Dimapur makes it a potential hotspot for development.

Peren, Jalukie and Tening are the major towns of the district while its inhabitants are mostly from Zeliang and Kuki communities.

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On political scape, Peren has been well represented in the recent past and is presently the political bastion of its talismanic figure, T.R Zeliang, who has been Chief Minister of Nagaland twice.

This 14th NLA election, some specific issues are coming to the fore from both the public and contesting candidates.

Deputy Commissioner’s Office at Peren Headquarter.

7 Peren Assembly Constituency:

In 7 Peren A/C, political heavy-weight and former CM T.R Zeliang is contesting on NDPP ticket. He is challenged by newcomers Kingudi Joseph (NPF) and K. Kengim Kulimbe (Independent).

The former Chief Minister of Nagaland had begun his political career in 1982, when he stood up for election from 6 Tening. NLA Election 2023 will be Zeliang’s eighth time contesting in the State Elections and his first on NDPP ticket.

In 2018, Zeliang, contesting on NPF ticket, defeated Iherei Ndang (NDPP) by a margin of 5432 votes. However, he has since joined NDPP and gained the support of Ndang.

Across party lines, a major issue of Peren Assembly Constituency is the incomplete works at New Peren Town, the district headquarters that still remains under developed.

Kingudi Joseph, the Naga People’s Front candidate, said that if elected, he will work to develop the district headquarters, which had turned into a “jungle”. Joseph, a former General secretary of Zeliang People Organization (NZPO) declared that water supply and regular electricity supply are his priorities.

Read more: Nagaland Polls 2023: Three contenders for TRZ’s constituency 7 Peren

Nagaland election 2023: Common platform for 7th Peren A/C held at Jalukie

T.R Zeliang (NDPP), three-time elected representative from the constituency (2008, 2013 and 2018) and two- time Chief Minister of Nagaland has also mentioned that he will develop the new district headquarter into a model town and make Peren a cultural hub.

Unemployment issues figured prominently in their agendas with candidates promising to create employment avenues specifically in agro-based sector and tourism.

Kulimbe, the former Joint Secretary of Nagaland Tribal Council stated that his main focus is to reduce unemployment amongst the youth in Peren. He added that he will do everything possible to bring all-round development to the district.

The road connecting Peren and Tening in the present day.

6 Tening Assembly Constituency:

6 candidates will battle for 6 Tening seat in the 14th NLA election 2023, making it one of the constituencies with the highest number of contesting candidates.

The candidates are Henry Zeliang from NPF, Rosy Thomson from Indian National Congress (INC), Namri Nchang from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Dr. Thumda Newme Independent candidate, Zandi Domta from National People’s Party (NPP) and Tarie Zeliang from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

In 2018 Assembly Elections, Namri Nchang contesting on NDPP ticket defeated N.R Zeliang contesting on NPF ticket and Tarie Zeliang (Independent). However, only a few hundred votes separated the three in a constituency of more than 20,000 voters.

This time around the sitting MLA Namri Nchang lost the NDPP ticket to Tarie Zeliang, while Namduadi Rangkau, who is related to T.R Zeliang did not file nomination. The entry of 4 fresh candidates, including a woman candidate, Rosy Thomson from Indian National Congress (INC) makes Tening A/C election all the more interesting. Rosy Thomson belongs to the Kuki tribe, a tribe with no less than 3000 voters in the constituency.

For the people of Tening the perennial problem of bad roads, specifically from Jalukie to Tening appears to be the biggest concern. The road which acts as a lifeline and connects Tening with the district headquarter as well as Kohima and Dimapur has never been in good condition.

According to citizens of Tening, the bad road condition is one of the reasons why people of the constituency remain poor and have to invest a lot of time and resources to avail even basic facilities including health and education.

The road to Tening during the rainy season

The road from Peren District headquarter to Tening is about 52 km but a vast stretch of the road is yet to be completed, creating inconvenience to the people who spend around four hours on bad weather days to reach Tening by bus.

Henry Zeliang of Naga People’s Front said that his top priority is to build better roads and to improve medical facilities. He also said that he wishes to help the farmers and citizens use naturally available resources to economically sustain themselves.

Namri Nchang, the sitting MLA who was Advisor for Water Resources, mentioned road development and water supply as his main agenda.

Dr.Thumda Newme, an independent candidate backed by North East Democratic Front (NEDF), speaking to Nagaland Tribune assured to improve road infrastructure. He also said that his mission is to maximize the resources and to uplift and motivate the younger generation.

Read more: Nagaland Assembly election: 6 candidates to battle for 6 Tening A/C

Youth, roads, protecting natural resources, among Dr Tumda’s visions for 6th Tening A/C

Strangely, none of the candidates in either Peren A/C and Tening A/C has a focus on development of bamboo and wood-based industries in the district. It may be mentioned that Peren has abundant natural resources and is a major producer of timber and bamboo which is critical to the needs of the plywood and timber industry of Dimapur and Kohima.

Citizens have mentioned that all resources are exported as raw materials due to the lack of processing and manufacturing units such as plywood factory, furniture factory, bamboo and other wood-based industries.

If such processing units are set up in the district, it would generate income and create employment opportunities.

In the meantime, Peren remains an under-performing district although it is strategically located with abundant natural resources.

With a new government to be formed next month, it remains to be seen whether the district will be tapped for the economic development of Nagaland.