The District Demand Committee Mangkolemba (DDCM) on Thursday organised a massive public rally at the Town Hall, Mangkolemba, urging the State Government to create Mangkolemba, a full-fledged District. A written appeal was also resubmitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on November 7.
Hundreds of people from the three ranges which includes Jangpetkong, Japukong, and Tzürangkong gathered to express their support for the long-pending demand. The event, originally scheduled for October 3, was postponed due to bad weather conditions and multiple landslides, which disrupted road connectivity on both routes leading to Mangkolemba.
The rally, which sought to urge the State Government to demonstrate the political will to realize the people’s long standing aspiration, began with a peaceful procession from the Town Hall to the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s (ADC) Office, Mangkolemba. Hundreds of people, including students, women, and representatives from 45 villages under the Jangpetkong, Japukong, and Tsurangkong ranges and Mangkolemba Ward participated in the march.
The resubmission letter signed by the DDCM convenor and presidents of the three ranges was formally handed over to the ADC Mangkolemba for onward submission to the Chief Minister through proper channel.
The appeal letter, resubmitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio by the District Demand Committee Mangkolemba (DDCM), reiterated the long-standing demand for upgrading Mangkolemba Sub-Division under Mokokchung District to a full-fledged district. The Committee emphasized that despite 61 years of Nagaland’s statehood, Mangkolemba remains neglected in terms of basic infrastructure, communication, and administrative attention. Poor road connectivity and inadequate communication facilities have crippled development efforts and, in some cases, led to the loss of lives due to lack of access to timely medical care.
The DDCM underlined that Mangkolemba, with its strategic location bordering Assam, frequently faces border-related law and order challenges that require a more responsive and independent administrative setup. The Sub-Division presently covers nearly half of Mokokchung District—about 817 sq. km—encompassing three major ranges (Jangpetkong, Japukong, and Tsurangkong), 45 recognized villages, nine villages of other Naga communities, four administrative blocks, and 42 functioning government offices.
The memorandum highlighted that Mangkolemba holds immense economic potential with abundant natural and agricultural resources. The area is known for agarwood and rubber plantations, organic farming, and tea gardens, while its geography and climate are conducive for fisheries and other aquatic farming activities. The Committee asserted that a separate district would enable effective governance, better regulation of trade and resources, and equitable development, benefiting farmers and the general population alike.
Tracing the administrative evolution of the area, the memorandum stated that the Mangkolemba administrative unit was established as a Circle Office in 1961, upgraded to EAC in 1967, SDO (Civil) in 1980, and later to ADC Headquarters in 1991. The inclusion of the Tsurangkong Range further expanded its jurisdiction and administrative responsibilities.
Reaffirming the people’s collective aspiration, the DDCM urged the State Government to consider the upgradation of Mangkolemba into a full-fledged district at the earliest, stating that such a move would be both necessary and productive for effective governance, equitable resource management, and the overall welfare of the region.
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The committee appealed to the Chief Minister to grant district status to Mangkolemba at the earliest, describing the demand as “a just and rightful aspiration of the people.”
At a public gathering held at the Town Hall in Mangkolemba, District Demand Committee Mangkolemba (DDCM) Convenor, C Onen Walling recalled the long journey of the movement seeking district status for Mangkolemba. He stated that the campaign began in 2013 under the banner of the Mangkolemba Division Development Coordination Committee and was renamed the DDCM in 2017, the same year the first official representation was submitted to the then Chief Minister TR Zeliang.
According to Walling, the demand later received the backing of former MLA and Advisor Dr Longrineken, who endorsed it through the Sub-Divisional Planning and Development Board (SDPDB), Mangkolemba, and forwarded the proposal to the Commissioner of Nagaland in 2018. The DDCM also submitted reminder letters in October 2020, which were acknowledged by the Chief Minister with instructions to “examine and take up for consideration.”
However, a subsequent inquiry by the NLA Speaker to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung revealed that the matter had not yet been placed before the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), nor had a feasibility committee been constituted at that time. In response, DDCM representatives, joined by Minister Temjen Imna Along, met Chief Secretary J. Alam in March 2021 to push the demand forward.
Following this development, the SDPDB Mangkolemba reconstituted a Feasibility Committee, which later completed the required feasibility report under the chairmanship of Temjen Imna Along. The Ao Senden further strengthened the movement by issuing a No Objection Certificate on January 24, 2022, endorsing the creation of Mangkolemba District. Most recently, on April 9, 2025, the DDCM submitted another letter to the DC Mokokchung and the DPDB Vice Chairman, urging that the district demand be included as an agenda item in the DPDB meeting.
In his address, DDCM Co-convenor, I Nungsang Lkr described the district demand as “a just and rightful aspiration” of the people of Mangkolemba, the oldest and largest subdivision of Mokokchung District. He clarified that the movement was not directed against any community or tribe and appealed to the Ao community and the Naga public at large to extend solidarity. Longkumer also called upon the Chief Minister, legislators, the Chief Secretary, and other government officials to demonstrate political will and fulfill the long-pending aspiration of granting district status to Mangkolemba.
Representatives from different ranges – Tzüurangkong, Jangpetkong, and Japukong also spoke on the occasion, including M Moa Hoki, Tongpangtemsu, Imdongtangba, and Akala Walling. Speeches were also delivered by various individuals representing various organizations and villages under MALT, Jangpetkong, Japukong, and Tzüurangkong ranges respectively. The rally concluded with a vote of thanks from T Longri Longkumer, All Ward Chairman, MBA.
