As India celebrates 75 years of Independence with the slogan ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ or ‘elixir of energy of independence’, the country has made great strides in every field of development, yet some places lag far behind.
One such place is Noklak District in Nagaland.
As Nagaland gears up for the Assembly elections on 27 February 2023, the various issues are coming to the fore and political parties and contesting candidates are promising to take these issues as their priorities.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Noklak District has two Assembly Constituencies – 56 Noklak and 57 Thonoknyu. It is the only district without a single college forcing students from the district to migrate to other districts like Tuensang, Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur for further studies.
Shangchiu, president of Khiamniungan Students’ Union, told Nagaland Tribune that since Noklak district has no colleges, the majority of the students are compelled to go out to pursue higher studies. As a result many parents are shouldered with big financial burden for their children, he added.
He stated that if the MLAs really have concern towards the grievances of children, they will surely give priority.
While Noklak does not have a single college, Noklak’s second Assembly Constituency, 57 Thonoknyu only has three Government High Schools and reportedly no higher secondary school, becoming the only constituency without one.
Government High School Chiphur, Noklak.
56 Noklak Assembly Constituency
Two candidates are contesting the election. H. Haiying on Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, who is also the sitting MLA, will take on P. Longon of Nationalist Congress Party.
In the 2018 Assembly election, H. Haiying (BJP) polled 5643 votes while P. Longon from Naga People’s Front polled 5638 as H. Haiying emerged victorious by a margin of only 05 voters. However, the 2018 election was a four-cornered contest also featuring P. Mulang of National People’s Party who secured 2125 votes and K. Khaming of Janata Dal (United) who secured 449 votes.
Citizens have highlighted that the road from Noklak to Tuensang via Chingmei as a priority project that is critical to the needs of the people of the district. They mentioned that widening of the road has been done but the soiling and metalling works remain due to which people may face a lot of hardships during the rainy season.
Meanwhile the youth and student leaders have mentioned that facilities for higher education is lacking in the district due to which student community have to face a lot hardships in education as they have to study outside. They mentioned that poor people cannot afford to study outside while all the savings of many families are spent to sponsor education outside the district.
Pathso Government High School, Noklak.
H.Haiying told Nagaland Tribune that his concern lays in road connectivity, education and medical sector to take the district to the forefront.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, P. Longon said that he would focus on educated unemployed youths bedsides developmental works.
Stating that the district does not have a single college, Longon said that a college can be established even by a private individual, adding that Arts College would be the first priority. “Anyone who is committed or convicted to provide education should be requested because it is a necessity,” the NCP candidate stated.
57-Thonoknyu Assembly Constituency
In Thonoknyu constituency, L. Khumo Khiamniungan is contesting on Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Party ticket and the challengers are S. Heno of NDPP and Benei M. Lamthiu of NPP. However, according to the recent report, Khumo (LJP) has joined with Heno of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.
In 2018, Khumo, who contested from NPP, polled 8389 votes to come first, while S. Heno (NPF) came second with 4345 votes followed by Y. P Chillio (NDPP) with 2,925 votes and Pakhio (INC) with 392 votes.
Being a constituency on the Indo-Myanmar border which has seen less development, all the three candidates have made road connectivity, education and medical services as their core agenda.
However, citizens have highlighted that the road connecting Thonoknyu to the district headquarter Noklak is still a ‘kaccha road’ (non-surfaced road) which requires 5-6 hours even to travel a mere 50-60 kms. Poor road condition is preventing people from accessing much needed welfare schemes from district headquarters while also draining the savings of the villagers.
Until now, the constituency only have three Government High Schools and does not have a single higher secondary school, making it the most backward constituency in the state.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, sitting MLA L. Khumo said that the government has appointed qualified teachers, but they fail to come. He mentioned that shortage of teachers is one big problem which is affecting the education system. He said that if elected, he would see that the schools have full teaching staff.
Further, the LJP candidate said that in medical sector, every village has sub-centre and dispensary but no doctors. “Communication, Education and Medical Sector” is his target, he said.
Thonokyu Government High School, Noklak.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, S. Heno stated his slogan as “Peace for Development and Development for Peace.” He said that the district being very young, there is no proper education. Heno said that if elected, he would ensure that the administration office is upgraded to Additional Deputy Commissioner office, mentioning that it is only through this that the other departments will come up.
Stating that disunity hinders developmental activities, the NDPP candidate stated that he aims to bring permanent peace in the area with mixed communities.
Benei, an upcoming youth leader speaking to Nagaland Tribune pointed out that Thonoknyu constituency is lacking behind in every aspect of developmental activities. Quoting that Rome was not built in a day, he said that it will take time with the activities starting from the grassroot level.
The NPP candidate said that he fully supports KSU’s 15 years plan to set up educational institution. He assured to take the basic steps in bringing higher secondary schools in the constituency, while admitting that setting up a college will require collective efforts. He asserted that with the coming of new leadership, changes will happen.
The people of Noklak are eagerly looking up to its representatives to deliver on key issues facing by the district.
Noklak District is the 12th district of the Indian state of Nagaland, established on January 20, 2021 with the district headquarter located in the town of Noklak. Having a population of about 55,434, it is also known by the name of ‘Frontier District’.
The district covers an area of 1,152 sq. km and is bordered by the Naga Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) of Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east, Mon district to the north, Tuensang and Shamator districts to the west and Kiphire district to the south.
Written by Shongmo Shiu
