LOTTA

Northeast India's gateway to witness Mising tribe festival on open field

2012-02-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

To set forth the rich culture of the Mising people to the world stage ,the chief festival of the tribe Ali-A:yé Lígang has been planned to celebrate with two-day long programmes in the city of Guwahati,the gateway of northeastern region of India.The Ali-A:yé Lígang is basically an agriculture based festival of the Mising Tani tribe of the region. The All Guwahati Mising Kébang(AGMK) ,the organization of the Mising people of the city ,which is organizing the mega event with this objective in mind is planning various programmes to focus the rich cultural aspects of the tribe.Although the festival falls on the first Wednesday of Phagun,observed according to Assamese calendar ,this year the organization has deferred the date of celebration in Guwahati in order to attract more people to the festival cutting across cultural lines.For the first time ever,the city of Guwahati would be witnessing two day event of Ali-A:yé Lígang at the College of Veterinary Science (C.V.Sc)ground in Khanapara on 18 and 19 February,2012.Earlier,the festival was celebrated in the premises of Murong Okum located at Japorigog in the city.The Ali-A:yé Lígang is also seen as an spring festival as it coincides with the season.This is likely to be the biggest ever Ali-A:yé Lígang festival celebrated in Guwahati so far.

Attires,recipes and apong stalls on the venue!
Sources in the AGMK told misingOnline.com,the two-day event is all set to shine the Mising tribe's culture, lifestyle and to keep on the spirit of the festival in such an open space of the city.There will be stalls on Mising attires,recipes and drinks as well.Various cultural troupes will perform Mising dances like Gumrag,Léréli,Sélloya in this two-day event.The Mising tribe's love song, popularly known as Oi Ni:tom,will fill the atmosphere of Ali-A:yé Lígang festival.A fashion show with Mising attires will also be organized on 19th February.It is expected that huge number of stalls will precipitate in this spring festival.One Mising youth of the city excitedly told MO that he along with friends are very interested in opening apong(beer) and adin(meat) stalls and they have already asked some women to make stuffs ready for apong during the festival.

AGMK to dedicate cultural function to Oi Appun and Bhupenda
In the two-day programmes,the first and the second night of cultural functions are set to dedicate to Oi Appun Gonesh Pegu and Dr Bhupen Hazarika respectively.Ms Bobita Sharma of 'Bideshot Apun Manuh' fame and chairperson of Assam State Film( Finance and Development) Corporation Limited will inaugurate the first night of cultural event ;and noted writer and editor of Assamese daily ''Amar Asom'' Mr Homen Borgohain will inaugurate the second night.It is to be noted here that the organizer of Ali-A:yé Lígang,the AGMK ,is one of the oldest organization working for Mising people especially in Guwahati.The AGMK was formed in 1968 with the initiatives of noted educationist Prof Tabu Taid ,writer and scholar Late Bhrigumani Kagyung and linguist Prof Nahendra Padun.The AGMK is regarded as the precursor to Mising Agom Kébang(MAK) that came into existence later in 1972 at Dísangmukh,Sivasagar.

Nobel Laureate Stiglitz visits Mising tribal villages in India

2012-01-10T06:26:00.000-08:00

India's Tribal Reality:A Mising tribe woman with child on her back taking water from a well dug beside a river stream at a village in Gohpur,Sonitpur district,Assam.Stiglitz visited the same tribe's villages in the same district of the Indian state.Photo:The Assam Tribune

2001 Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia University,USA ,former chief economist of World Bank ,who was in Assam, visited Buruli,considered as Mising tribe's last traditional habitat in the north bank of Brahmaputra,especially two Mising villages named Baligaon and Bukagaon at Balipara in Sonitpur district of Assam yesterday,according to a local newspaper in Assam.It is also noteworthy to mentioned here that Stiglitz who was coming with his wife and nephew even took dinner delicacy in one Mising village the previous night.He was treated with the tribe's local recipes.According to the local daily of Guwahati,he also visited Nameri National Park located in the vicinity and took taste of various local recipes.(Hope,Stiglitz was treated with namsing, rasor or amin oying in the Mising village,our favorite recipes!).He took stock of Mising people's village economy and also visited a weekly market.All he toured for hours on foot!A top official of the government of Assam who accompanied Stiglitz said in a huge gathering minutes before where conversation between Joseph Stiglitz and Meghnad Desai was held. (Let's hope our Indian planners/intellectuals tour the villages the way Stiglitz did.)He also significantly pointed out that he felt flood prone state like Assam should not go for big dams instead choose for micro hydro projects.He delivered talks in Guwahati along with Meghnad Desai of London School of Economics on Asian economy .

Speaking Economics:Desai and Stiglitz in conversation at Guwahati.Photo:Pawan Kumar

Both Stiglitz and Desai were invited by Youth Forum on Foreign Policy(YFFP),an organization formed by Assam chief minister's son Gaurab Gogoi along with his friends to focus decision-makers traverse from center of powers to the less highlighted region like landlocked northeastern region of India.YFFP said that they would take such steps by inviting top personalities of the world in the future too.

Agom kéba:do Jonai gíyén ajona?

2012-01-07T03:17:00.000-08:00

            Ngo silopé agom kébang ba:namdém kangkima:da...bangke agom kébalok ba:namém ko:ka dokké ka:sa sula ngo gítak...émdaggom ki:ni kéba lokkém kangkímang.Ajjou dodo ngolu lambé do mike,sound box bommín sudanla yamgo nammém ka:bekdungai ....dítak dok 30 October longé do lambé lo dek poriné ko:kangém abí:nkíd yamgobola Mising agom turyaryé !,Mising réngam írroi ya írroi ya !émna jé:mín sula do:mír ésaré mírgo mínsu do:pé ,sargomínsudo:pé inamém Laimekuri amo:lo ka:pa dungai.

      Sium sí:ro mo:tép du:langkula kangkitokumabong...aropé édé bulu oko longan émna mé:dag ngo lékom,yumé ayir míloi dírbí yumdéng inam kangkolo berdungai.Lékom ajon gidakbo émna tadbekla apin dosud doludla lomnak-pisak la dugdungai...longém abín ami kídídé agom do:yíng ém kéba lo ludagai,yumé do ngolu oi ni:tom,anu ni:tom,natok,luse: senam,sonam atí atí tarung inam kabek dungai....harmonium élang tabla lo oi ni:tom monamém aipé ka:lídakku...asinang airup odak...suk 2012 so January 16 dokké ba:yé émdag Jonai to January 19 dop.Jonai émyém ngok le:keké poriko school lotta do....amindé Jonai Higher Secondary School.Agom kébang do Jonai gíyéne ajona,édésin ki:ni kéba lokkar malang ayi?

            Agom Kébang agomdém luyémílo a:písé kapéike idak..supak agom sé kapil dun émdodém okkomna lulad bipayekusong kinma:bo....Agom jarmonam légangé sekoi okkoméi gerdusong okkomsin kinto kumang...po:pé ké LP School lok pa:nam potin kidi dok Ta:to tolíng sipak,tapum tari dopak;Mipak ao malbuk,bomla anu abbuk(mensarung ko ka:bekla sikang émnam lube: lusak ka:na ,édésinyowwa!);ba:yom ba:to,ya:yoké ra:sor ra:nam doppo....édé mo:bulum mé:padag .Odokké kinsed tokumang ...O Ru:na!Bojeko pagtakbo ngo:sin,souo lok ngo silo attér du:bo... Yo! agom ako...Jonai gíyem ngomsin goksudanlang ajona,léko lakko:pé ír-pongkír bolapé Jonai mongke tém!Mikpandanyoka déi ajona...sa!!

The Midnight Call of Spirits:The Strange Story of Pegu Siyeng of Arunachal Pradesh

2011-12-18T01:38:00.000-08:00

Lake of Spirits :The Pegu Siyeng near Yingkiong,Arunachal Pradesh Photo:Dinesh Pegu /TPOK

The Pegu Siyeng is consider as once an inhabited place of the Pegu clans of the present day Mising tribe,most of whom are living in to-day's Assam,India.Siyeng literally means lake in Tani language,so it got its name from Pegus who were once in the side of the lake.The beautiful lake of Pegu Siyeng is located near Yingkiong,the head quarter town of Upper Siang district of present day Arunachal Pradesh.The Siyeng consisted of two lakes previously but it is said that one of the lake was developed for agricultural farming by an influential resident.When Omak Apang ,son of Gegong Apang,the former chief minister of Arunachal,once became an union minister in the centre,there was a bid to develop it a hotspot tourist destination.Elder Pegu clan members told this blogger that the minister efforts led to construction of houses to facilitate lodging for tourists near the lake.
The surroundings of Pegu Siyeng was improvised from its bare natural state to replenish a better look.However,the houses were soon abandoned for some strange but serious reasons after few years.A caretaker,who was in charge of the newly constructed buildings and living in one the houses by the side of the Siyeng,woke up every midnight from his deep slumber.The reason:the caretaker was awakened by nightmare from none other than the spirits of the Pegu Siyeng.The horrible dreams of midnight due to the call of spirits led to abandoned of the houses,since then. By teleological assumption,we must called it as a sacred place.May be a customary rites and rituals by Pegu clan will make free the lake from spirits!Well ,it can be Amarnath or Haridwar for Pegu clan!

The story about Pegu Siyeng find mentioned in one of Arunachal's former top bureaucrat's autobiography.Rajani Kanta Patir ,who rose to become the chief secretary of the young state of Arunachal during Gegong Apang's tenure,vividly describe in his memoir ''Dawn in the East" the existence of this abode of Pegu clan in this part of Siang belt.Patir hailed from Moukhuwa in Assam's Lakhimpur district and was a cousin of Kaziranga National Park's pioneer Mahi Chandra (Patir)Miri.Patir was a Mising tribe man,the largest group of Tani people.Patir also helped in running the Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan schools of Arunachal Pradesh.

Note:Pegu is a surname of Mising>Mishing>Miching>Miri> Tani tribe of Northeast India.It is interesting to note that the Pegu surname holders have formed an association called Takam Pegu Opín Kébang(TPOK) few years back to deal with the aspect of origin and history of the clan.In 2010,the TPOK even hold a mammoth meeting at Akajan near Silapathar in Upper Assam.I'd the opportunity to talk with one of the office bearer of the TPOK once while I was travelling to Pasighat in a night service bus.TPOK men told me that together with Megu,the blood brothers of Pegus on Arunachal side,are making efforts to develop the Pegu Siyeng as protected heritage site with the help of government as well as clan members.This blogger is grateful to Mg Dinesh Pegu and Mg Juwel Pegu for their valuable inputs on Pegu Siyeng.

More on Pagro Clan origin story

2011-12-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

From our further conversation on Pagro clan origin,Dr Riba said ,"I negate those theories about the origin of d term Pagro. Pagro was a name of a person. All Tani tribes inherit their clan from their forefathers. As per our oral history, Pagro clan might be the earliest clan of Miri people (no offence). Pagro might have been son of Ato Tapak (Tapak was again christened as Nyipak. Tapak(who left Ato Tame at Tibet) was earliest migrant from Tibet to enter Assam plain. So, our people mistakenly consider all plain people be Nyipak but actually, Mishings were/are the descendants of Ato Tapak/Nyipak. Now, the term Nyipak is exclusively used for non-tribal people. But it would be wrong to say-Mishings are non-tribal again). It would have been possible to find the origin of the term Pagro (we pronunce as 'Pagro) had you followed our system of genealogy counting".

Dr Riba added that it would been easier if the Miri/Mising would have adopted the genealogy based name.The name of this begin with the last name of the father when it comes naming of new born babies.Unfortunately,the Mising people under the influenced of Hindu cultures has abandoned this unique genealogical naming pattern nevertheless that could have easily helped in tracing the origin of Pagro or any other clans.Dr Jatin Mipun in his book 'The Mishings(Miris);Development of New Style'' said that the Misings left their genealogical naming system in the early nineteenth century.It is noteworthy that the Galo Tanis still follow this naming pattern.

The Return of the Donyi-Polo:25 years of Revivalism

2011-12-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

Talom Rukbo,the ambassador of cultural renaissance

Does religion,faith and worship still hold importance to the people in this hyper liberal individualist world? Have you ever imagined people’s skyrocketing participation even in this age on socio-religious movement that was reawakened just two and half decades ago? The Donyi-Polo Yelam Kébang(DPYK),(but spelt as Do:nyi Po:lo as per dialectic tone of the Tanis,also in their religious book,in recent nomenclature too)the brainchild of late Talom Rukbo ,that kick started its reawakening movement at Pasighat back in 1986 has now gathered into eminence among the Tani peoples of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.A person from Along in West Siang district who happened to be Talom Rukbo's contemporary said in his deliberation that Rukbo initiated cultural renaissance in the Northeastern region among the indigenous peoples.The silver jubilee year celebration of Donyi Polo movement,considered as the indigenous faith since ancient times; commemorating Talom Rukbo,the socio-religious reformer,witnessed thousands of participation of delegates from as far as Tuting near China border in Arunachal Pradesh to Tsangpo/Siang/Brahmaputra’s largest deltaic island Majuli in the plains of Assam.The Tani people are none other than Adi,Nyishi,Galo,Mising,Tagin,Hill Miri tribes,also well-known as the descendants of Abo Tani.The Tani people habitats are the plains and hills in the states of Assam,Arunachal Pradesh of India and part of Tibet Autonomous Region(TAR) of China.

The Central Ganggiing ground,the venue where the event saw the large gathering

Return of the 'traditions' against 'modernity'?

The Donyi Polo as an indigenous faith has been gaining momentum that was clear from the large number of participation in the recently held 25 years of revival celebration at the place where it regained its movement from 01 to 03 December,2011.It is equally important to think why the ancient faith that was limited only to communities and households practices has seen increasing number of people’s participation.The modernization that comes to contact in the form of development in education,communication and exchange of ideas along with socio-economic and political implications among the tribes previously untouched by modern civilizations have huge impact in the thinking and perception of the people.First it was Christian Missionaries who reached out to the Tani tribes followed by administration of the colonial government,and finally the national government after it India attained Independence.Whether it may be the conscious educated masses’ emotional bonding to one’s culture,language,faith,origin,race,ethnicity that were once educated by Christian or Hindu Missionaries or their deep attachment towards ‘traditional’ spirituality the Donyi Polo movement has thousand reasons to smile to-day,that too in this market defined-destiny of the world.It is significant to mentioned the critical debates of the academic circles here that the Marxists thought modernization would usher development of inevitable class consciousness that would strike at the root of ethnicity.Again,Emile Durkheim,the eminent sociologist,said the growth of individualism will make the ethnic groupings more or less redundant;Max Weber emphasized that ‘rationality ‘ would strike the root of ‘traditional’ structures.Although they may not have used the term ‘ethnic’ but the groupings were more or less in reference to it.

Delegates from Majuli Island to Tuting in China border

People thronging the prayer hall-Ganggiing

The spectacular event gathering the phases in case of Donyi Polo movement is noteworthy in reference to the social sciences debate.The event at Pasighat saw younger generations’ active involvement .It was observed that there were number of cultural troupes particularly females from Tuting to Majuli dancing to the hymns of Angun Bédang,the sacred book of Donyi Polo believers.The devotion and dedication of young volunteers in the entire three-day event of Donyi Polo Yelam Kébang in a rarely-seen discipline manner reflected the younger generations’ interest,determination,responsibility,devotion and commitment to uphold and carry forward the values and morals what the forefathers has bestowed on them.The practices called ‘traditional’ has received widespread applause from the younger Tani generation even at the juncture of liberal individualism.These developments seriously called for a new research interest in the arena of social sciences.

A gadu onno sornam competition on progress

The venue of the DPYK’s celebration show thousands of people of all ages thronging the site for the entire three days.The event saw revival of dying cultural traits by organizing local sports such as gadu onno sornam(cotton blanket wool making;gadu is a hand woven blanket used by Tanis),dogdiig giinam(stand-bamboo walk),tug-of-war with bamboo,riidiin yaadnaam(the holy thread making),cultural competitions of Donyi Polo hymns ,traditional attire show in where large number of participants and spectators witnessed the events.Delegates not only East Siang region were there but from Guwahati,Itanagar,Roing,Namsai,Tuting,Yingkiong,Majuli,Jonai,Dhemaji,North Lakhimpur attended the event.Religious discourses were cited by Miris/Priests and functionaries of DPYK in the programmes.

The Sun Shines ,the Moon Lightens up!

Isn’t the 25th year commemorative event a big return of Donyi-Polo?I meant the homecoming of indigenous faith with large number of Tani people’s participation and self-realization of the values and ideals of their indigenous belief.Let me conclude with a quote from the Donyi-Polo faith for the sake of righteous path of human-being:

"Do:nyi angun unnam kísa:pé apí angun un langka,

Po:lo lolat latnam kísa:pé arang ansíngém pélangka”

(Enlighten your mind as the Sun shine,soften your mind as the Moon light.)

The Origin of Pagro sub-group among present day Mising tribe

2011-12-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

There are basically two postulates on the origin of Pagro sub-group of Mising tribe.The debates revolves round the stalwarts of Mising historians and writers.There is also a moderate animosity among Mising tribe within the Mising Agom Kébang(MAK) so as to which dialects should be the "standard form" notwithstanding the fact that a language has many features with various dialects to usher a growth and development of literature.

The Subtle Sub-groups

There are many sub-groups among present day Mising tribe where they are more or less differ in their dialects as well as variation in tones.The well-known sub-groups (sometime it is also referred as clans )Sa:yang(colon is used for high central vowel, a bit long sounding, according to the Agom Kébang,hereafter),Mo:ying,Délu(diacritical mark on e is used according to Interntional Phonetics Association Model as adopted by MAK to suit in Mising words,hereafter),Oyan,Pagro,Somuwa,Samuguria,Dambuk,Tamar and Bihiyas.Of these sub-groups,however,the Samuguria,Tamar and Bihiyas uses Assamese as their medium of expression with more or less mixture of Mising words in between,sometime not at all. The Somuwa sub-group ,of late,members have changed their surnames to Adi sounding surnames from surnames which actually exists in Mising tribe and to-day identified themselves as Adi Somuwas, 6-7 years ago,a latest study says.I also heard this from two Mising people,whose village is next to the Somuwa of Lekang constituency of Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh at Pasighat while I was attending a Do:nyi Po:lo Yelam Kébang(DPYK) silver jubilee year celebration from Dec 1 to Dec 3,2011.

Two Theories on Pagro
The two theories on the meaning of Pagro sub-group which is highly debated in two intellectual camps are as follows.

One,Dr Nomal Chandra Pegu,the author of ''The Mishings of the Brahmaputra Valley",the first post-independence writer of the tribe,said Pagro comes from two words Aro+Pag(to understand this second meaning we may refer to paggod,pagnam etc ) meaning Real+Root( loosely Blood). The amalgamation of two words formed Pagro or Real Root/Blood.

Two,Professor Nahendra Padun,the noted Mising linguist and writer and founder secretary of MAK,constructed "Pagro" in this manner ''Mipag+Aro" meaning "People other than Mising(Non-Mising,say)+ Real" that led to formed the Real Non-Mising people.(Attributed this fact from Mg Juwel Pe:gu,executive member of MAK at Pasighat while interacting with this blogger).

The Hite-Pagro and Miro Clans War
As my inquisitive mind command more from me since I'm not satisfied with either of the above postulated reconstructions of "Pagro" to which sub-group I too belong, once I'd the luck of exchanging ideas on Pagro through Facebook chat with my Achi(Elder Brother) Dr Bomchak Riba of Rajiv Gandhi University of the department of Geography on this once hotly debated issue of the intellectual circles of the Mising Tani tribe.Dr Riba belongs to present-day Galo Tani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and he clubbed his clan to Lare Galo.He hailed from Darw village in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.It is interesting to note his account when the debate on Pagro took place among Mising circles without much historical ingredients,oral or written.Excerpts from our conversation:

"Heard that Hite-Pagro fought with Miro clan. Still there is a cave called Miro-Pomar Aru ( means cave of Pomar Miro) in the hills of Perlek. But the cave is inaccessible or untraceable now. My father used to tell me the story. He even saw the cave. In the entry of the cave, 4-5 pieces of flat rocks could be seen. In the war Pomar Miro was chased by Hite-Pagro people. He hide himself inside the cave with stucked poisoned arrow in his cup. Hite-Pagro people tried to hook him out with maamo (thorny flagella of canes) but failed as he went more inside the cave. Pomar Miro was too injured to move even an inch. He stayed in the cave for several days. While inside the cave, he killed one porcupine (hosi) with his only last weapon, Rokchik (knife). He ate all the meat and drank the blood. He would dry the meat in d sun near mouth of the cave (probably those flat rocks were his drying place for meat). On the other hand, his village performed Bume-runam(act of burying someone's belongings when the person is lost or deadbody is not found). On a fine morning, his ( Pomar's) son told his mother his father has returned. His wife was not at all astonished as she taught that-it could be orom/yaji-yalo (spirit of human) but it was real Pomar."

Dr Riba also added an interesting note, '' Earlier there were neither Mising nor Galo;neither Adi nor Nyipak.Just they were known by clan name only".

This new story could be the latest substance in understanding the Pagro meaning and origin.The earlier two theories were void of much historical reasoning and evidence to believed except attempting to establish vocabulary rendition.It is also significant to mentioned that Dr N Lego,a noted Tani historian,had mentioned in his book "The History of the Mishings of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh" that Pegu and Doley clans didn't faced any war of clans while moving to their present day habitat possibly for taking a different route.They peacefully come down from a place called Karko.It is again notable to mentioned here that Pegu and Doley bearing surnames are well-known composition of Pagro clan.This is another twist to the inquiry of origin and meaning Pagro sub-group.

N.B.Please do not take this writing otherwise especially those who are from different clans of Mising or Galo,whatever may be.This blogger take interest in writings about the oral history,myths and legends,origin,clan wars,folk songs,culture ,faith and religion,land and territory,mores,language,literature,development,politics ,life style and society relating to the Abo Tani descent tribes.This writing is not for focusing Pagro clan or establishing supremacy among the others.This is just for the sake of dissemination of information.

Agom Kebang conference from Jan 9,TU varsity campus likely to declare in Jonai

2011-11-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Come 2012,the first Mising organization formed in the post-independent era will organize its 30th Biennial Conference at the border town of Jonai from January 9.The venue for the grand literary meet will be the Jonai Higher Secondary School premises,which is located in the heart of the town.The meet will be continued till January 11,2012.The Mising Agom Kebang or the Mising Literary Association that spearheaded the Roman script movement with flying colours in 1985 after it was founded in 1968 at Disangmukh.Since then the day government of Assam declared the introduction Mising language in schools,annually 30th of October is observed as Mising Language Day.This year another milestone was bagged due to the restless efforts made by the MAK leadership,the country's premier literary body the Sahitya Akademi agreed to award the prestigious 'Bhasa Samman' even as the language dreams for Eight Schedule recognition.However,the rich oral history,folklores and mores were acknowledged by the Akademi ,considering which ground it was decided.The language of Tani people is getting momentum with leaps and bounds even as many urban middle classes Tani parents has left their wards bereft of their mother tongue.The Mising Agom Kebang(MAK) has brought about the culture of writing for those enthusiasts of the community who loves to put their thought into printed letters notwithstanding the literature of this Tani language is still in nascent stage which needs a renaissance among the people.However,this Tani language can still boasts of having more than 5 lakhs speakers across villages and towns in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Tezpur University to set up extended campus in Jonai
Sources in the central committee of the MAK told this blogger that a campus of Tezpur University is likely to be declared by the government of Assam in Jonai during the meet itself.The chief minister as well as the education minister are the top political invitees to the literary meet,the sources said.The Tezpur University is a central university established under the Assam Accord.This will be a historic new year gift for the people of entire upper north bank districts of Assam and Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.The temple of learning is expected to boost the educational atmosphere and related economic activities of the backward north bank regions plagued by perennial floods from where hundreds of youths particularly from Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts migrate to various metropolis of India often leaving their education mid-way to join petty odd jobs.

Any more Human Rights violation?64th year of Independence and the Mising tribe

2011-08-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

India is stepping to a glorious years of its hard-earned independence which would celebrate the 64th year of liberation.Together with other developing nations,India wants to move forward and take up responsibility cautiously as an aspiring global power.But as the nation marches towards its prestigious red letter day,the abuse of human rights and illegal detentions by the powerful Indian Army reminds us that India needs to understand its own citizens,especially the indigenous peoples.A week ahead of India's Independence day an incident shook a community of nearly 1 million people belonging to the Mising tribe.Ethnic leaders belonging to a community who's following the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi for its emancipation have been subjected to human rights violations that deeply pained the tribe and questions the functioning of the world's biggest democracy.

Illegal Detention and Human Rights Violation
It was a mixture of shocked,nightmare and anger for the Mising tribe youths when they heard that Raju Medok was brutally tortured in a closed dark room in an Indian Army camp in Jonai .Medok was picked up in Rangkop Tiniali on August 7,2011 during the night along with Minesh Pegu where Indian Army stands regularly for routine check to ensure peace and security of the people.Without rhyme or reason,they were given the most barbaric treatment by the mighty Indian Army personnel and later in the same night they were handed over to Jonai police station.Jonai is an small town which has largest concentration of the Mising tribe's population located in the Assam-Arunachal border in northern part of Assam. He was returning on his two-wheelers from a funeral of a former fellow leader who died in Chennai hospital recently.Both Raju Medok and Minesh Pegu works for Mising Mimag Kebang(MMK),a political organization fighting for autonomy and political rights of the indigenous Mising tribe that has nearly 10 lakhs souls inhabiting the two northeastern Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.Medok is a very active leader who made a name for himself as a leader of the tribe's student body named Takam Mising Porin Kebang(TMPK) who held the post of general secretary.While Minesh is serving as president- in-charge of the MMK of Jonai District Committee.The TMPK is one of the most respected student body among the Mising indigenous tribe which has penetration across almost all Mising villages in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.Few days back one of my classmate whose internship project was based in flood affected Matmara in Lakhimpur district of Assam expressed before me that he was immensely assisted by TMPK workers while executing his project.The TMPK as a student body has major psychic influence among the Mising educated youths especially those hailing from rural and town areas across far and wide of the country.Ironically only 2 per cent of the Mising tribe inhabits in urban areas as per a 2001 census of India,so we can well-gauged the organizational influence.Whether one may be directly involved or not,many among the tribes olds and youngs keep an eye on the activities of the TMPK.The MMK is just a sister organization where often former student leaders keep involving themselves in the interest of the community.Both Medok and Pegu has been admitted to hospitals for better treatment in Dibrugarh,a south bank city across the mighty Brahmaputra river.

There were hue and cry,anger and condemnation over the inhuman treatment of the tribe's leaders across the Mising lands,voices were echoed not just in Silapathar and Majuli island but in the virtual space too where hundreds of Mising youths uses social media for discussing public issues relating to the tribe.On August 9,2011,the Misings held a protest demonstration in the premises of Murkongselek Kristi Bhavan,another glorious cultural site of the tribe with a record of more than 50 years of the national festival known as Ali-aye-ligang,significantly the premises bear a testimony of cultural assault of a mid-night bomb blast in 2008.The relentless struggle for real autonomy,voices against mega hydro power projects,protection from flood and erosion struggle all are being carried through non-violence and satyagraha.The recent Jonai incident have become another insult to the adorable movement that has ignited a second thought for the future of the tribe among many .

The illegal manner of detention of the two ethnic leaders questions the conduct and responsibility of the Indian Army.The fundamental rights that are inherent in every human-being have been crushed.It was nontheless a gross violations of human rights from the people who were meant to engender peace and security to its citizens.

Apologized and it's okay!Manufacturing militancy?

It was fortunate on the part of the mighty Indian Army in a rare kind of it's conduct,the Army officer who was in charge of the regiment of the Jonai Army camp acknowledged the wrong done to the ethnic leaders.The officer came to the protest demonstration site and apologized the Mising ethnic organizations publicly.However,it is always a tradition for the Mising tribe either commute or forgive the people who rightly acknowledge for misconduct.For thousands years, the Kebang or meeting has been the platform for resolving contentious issues not only among it's tribesmen but to settle misunderstanding with others.In many cases,Kebang always comes out with amicable and honorable resolutions.So it was natural that the tribe gave 'chalte hai' attribute to the Indian Army when it came up with such gesture.It is Mising people's nature to be friendly even with someone construed as enemy,when it comes to Army officer who directly reached out to the people,the usual gesture of 'aiye'(it's okay!) was shown.

Does the story ends here?The ripples were seen in the social media such as Facebook especially among the youths.Many Mising Facebook users asked whether it was the reward for the Mising tribe for being law-abiding and staying peaceful.Others questioned the leadership of their own organizations and curiously wanted to know the reasons behind the 'compromise' with the Army.Some were suggesting 'kaje,apne-pane ko la:lenlaboi,ngolum me:tid dung amme".(Let's open a shooting-cutting group,others are looking down us.) which made us clear that youths think that due to non-lifting of guns such and such are happening. Someone on the same news post of the tortured incident even called out on Facebook to ''broke all administrative building''.Many youths felt the honour and self-esteem as a Mising community has been relegated to the margins and suggested to ''take all possible steps'' to protect the self-respect.Others opined for punishment under due process of law of the land.These might be just a well of echoes seen on the networking site but one must agree to the fact that it also spoke of the state of notions and psychological effects among the Mising youths after they heard of the detention and torture of it's innocent leaders.If similar kind of case happened against AASU,ABSU leaders other than Mising tribe many wondered how could it have been the consequences and scenario in the aftermath in Assam.The incident is just adding fuel to anger and deprivation of the tribe.The incident may explains the gradual manufacturing of militancy in Northeast India.

Non-violence and the Mising tribe

If Gandhiji,whom we dearly called the Father of Nation , gave India and the world the new tactic of political struggle i.e.ahimsa or non-violence against the mighty and powerful,the Mising tribe is the one who are vigorously resorting to the principle for social justice and overall uplift.Despite Northeast India being the land of hundreds mutinies and armed revolutions, the Mising tribe have been taking utmost cautiousness to follow the law of the land.The Army's detention of ethnic leaders who represents the "Father of Nation" principles in their struggle for community emancipation without rhythm and reason speaks volumes of Army's operation and conduct.It is alleged that the Indian Army was 'used' to avenge matters relating to collections of donations in connivance with administrative officers,North Indian businessmen and petty politicians in the helm of affairs.If the Army has done so,we must say that our soldiers are not on the right track.If it was the matter,the state police could have acted strongly if there was such complaints against the organizations and persons concerned.However,for any major events the Mising organizations collect 'donations' not just from the people outside the community but within the community members too.The respected Indian Army in where hundreds of Mising tribe youths dream to join has sent a wrong signal to the entire community.The Army has planted wrong impression to the public that will alienate them from its own people.

The Mising have been deeply hurt to the insult done to its ethnic leaders.The Mising tribe never expected such misconduct in a country which is going to celebrate six decades and four years of independence.The fundamental rights and duties enshrined by the founding fathers of the country have been grossly violated against an ethnic minority by the powerful Indian Army.Indigenous peoples in Maoist affected area in other parts of India must have better explanation relating to such matters.

Celebrating Independence with Qualms in Mind

India's 64th years of Independence is a matter of pomp and gaiety for billions of Indians across nook and corner of the country.The indigenous Mising tribe's social,political and economic emancipation is still a distant dream.Thousands of the people belonging to the indigenous tribe has been running for two square meals a day.Children begins their tender life in the sands of Matmara,on the embankment of Bonkowal.Unabated erosions and recurrence of floods led many people helpless without food and shelter ,they look for new settlements in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh,Guwahati ,Doyang Tengani,Karbi-Anglong.....where people have to live their life in constant fear of being evicted by government in where people are branded as encroachers in the country.The ''sons of soil'' have been frantically searching for the soil to refuge and livelihood within the boundary of the country.Youths in Boginadi villages have to work for migrant settlers by plucking chillies from orchard to eke out a living in the land which was once owned by their forefathers.There's no one to explain how migrant settlers got land allotment while tribes remained deprived.Youths serving as security guards in as far as Pune and Mumbai have to live a life amidst fear during their night duty hours of being 'taxed' by high-class Indians moving in luxurious cars.In Assam where the government has made a policy of recruiting new teachers to boost quality education,there's no provision for reservation for the deprived and the backwards.The children of the indigenous tribes have no right to learn their first lesson in life in their mother tongue which contradicts the real meaning of much-trumpeted ''right to education.'' Men and women in Dikhowmukh and Sisiborgaon have been tortured for practicing withcraft which speaks of the tribe's underdevelopment.The indigenous peoples in India have not been able get out the of the yoke of social evils.Leaders leading political ,social and economic rights movements have to live a fearful life of being detained by the Army.People in the down streams and upstreams where large mega dams have been under consideration are not sure whether their land and livelihood are safe down their generations.The 64th year of India's Independence day reminds us of these challenges ,fear and exploitation of the indigenous peoples.The Mising tribe joins the celebrations of 'prestigious' 64th years of the country's Independence day with open heart but with loads of qualms in mind.Jai Hind!

Notes and References:
1.Conversations with Kishore Doley,Iran Narah;Ruad Dolung,Khanapara,Guwahati
2.censusindia.gov.in,Miri related files on its website of 2001 census
3.Gupid,Bhaskar;Blogs on www.misingonline.com
4.Mising Students Union,www.facebook.com
5.Pangging ,Arindam; "Premik Bondhu",Sadin,July 22,2011
6.Pratidin,Asomiya; August 9,10;2011
.

TMPK is a political organization:Ranoj Pegu

2011-08-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

Ranoj Pegu's comment on Facebook

Noted Mising leader Ranoj Pegu have recently claimed that TMPK is a political organization and it has the right to participate in political activities.This statement of Ranoj Pegu slipped into as comment on the social networking site Facebook in one of his replies to the members of networking group called Mising Students Union(MSU) on July 30,2011.The Takam Mising Porin Kebang,literally All Mising Students' Union, is one of the oldest community organization in the Mising tribe that inhabits in two northeastern Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.The tribe belongs to Tani group of people who are known as descendants of Abotani.

Ranoj Pegu,a Marxist-Leninist,has been playing a significant role in matters relating to the community as a leader since the last three decades.He is considered as the man behind the current Mising autonomy movement among the community circle.The Misings are demanding autonomy under Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.The debate into the virtual world sparked off after a thread post by one Achyut Kumar Doley when he asked '' dear guys plainly speaking how much people frm our 28 lacs population loves Dr Ronuj pegu as our torch bearer......it is purely non-political''(sic).Ranoj Pegu ,who later joined the thread on the Facebook group,said that TMPK,MMK and TMMK are political organizations and they have the right to participate in political activities.
After all our main demand for autonomy is a political demand. It is not simply social or cultural demand. Difference is that these are not 'political party'. These organisations are fighting for a cause and using parliamentary struggle as a tactical means. Once the cause is achieved the organasations will withdraw from active politics and leave it only to political parties."

The thread that sparked the debate by Achyut Kumar Doley

Ranoj Pegu's post after he claimed TMPK as political organization

Pegu also adds, "After all our main demand for autonomy is a political demand.It is not simply social or cultural demand.Difference is that these are not 'political party'.Putting points of justification in his Facebook comment he says '''these organizations are fighting for a cause and using parliamentary struggle as a tactical means.Once the cause is achieved the organizations will withdraw from active politics and leave it only to the political parties."

Ranoj Pegu's comment sparked off a lengthy thread discussion on Facebook with as many as 221 comments which could be longest ever discussions on internet relating to the Mising community till date.Meanwhile the statement have invited mixed reactions among the student community especially who are members of the MSU group on Facebook across the virtual world.With volleys of reactions pouring in from the student community Ranoj Pegu have posted a document entitled ''why TMPK is a political organization ''on the same site the previous night.By claiming the TMPK , which is basically a student organization as political organization,the debate is likely to be heated one in the coming days among the Mising student community at large.

Bhubon Pegu's latest public appearance

2011-07-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

Bhubon Pegu delivering speech in an anti-big dam rally in Guwahati

Former Jonai legislator Bhubon Pegu's first public appearance after his defeat in the last assembly election on Saturday's satyagraha organised by TMPK and AASU against mega dams and the turbines movement towards Subansiri hydro power project proved he is a real time leader indeed irrespective of his political position.His voice was loud and clear against the mega dams that have been decided to be built in the northeast as like before,stubborn and determined . He criticized the central government of maintaining dual standards approach on power projects. He asked why there was objection on Tsangpo hydro power project from India against China but why not the government was concerned about the 168 hydro projects in Arunachal alone.

Women and Science:Needs for new policy formulation

2010-11-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

There is a need for crucial insight on the participation of women in the area of sciences.Scientific knowledge plays a central role in today's modernized society.To see things from gender viewpoint,we happen to see that there is a wide gap between men and women in educational institution,engineering,technology,research relating to sciences.This fact is surprisingly ignore by the nation's policymakers.If India's vision of developed country by 2020 is to be fulfilled,there must be end to the kind practices that are against women.In this globalized contemporary world,the country must be prepared for ''global competitive readiness'' in the field of sciences too.Conventional barriers like negative stereotyping of girls' such as their interests and abilities towards sciences,math and research are in dire needs that requires rethinking and reformulation at the policy levels of government and society at large as well.In a study done by one Bix in 1996,it shows that women activism reveals success not only in making public awareness but also in making use of statistics to gain research money and challenge research in breast cancer research,so women are a key component in the field that concerns them most.The liberal feminist approach says that there should be equal access to science by women and in the labor force.Here it speak of schooling and employment as an over riding agenda while the transformative perspective point out that it is not a question of adding women in sciences but demasculinize the arenas that are under male domains.In 1993,the science and technology office of the UK said that women are the country's most underutilzed resources.If science is conceived as an institutionalized means that is crucial for national economic development or ''science for progress'' is the mantra of national development,women's role in this field can hardly be ignored.Therefore,the question of gender equity in science is not just a question for feminist alone,the challenge is for all.Our country must look beyond conventional thinking and policies in regard to science and women.

References:

Drori,Gili.S;Science in the modern world polity: institutionalization and globalization,Stanford University Press,2003

Internationalisation and Globalisation in Mathematics and Science Education
Angela Calabrese Barton, Bill Atweh, Marcelo C. Borba, Noel Gough, Christine Keitel, Catherine Vistro-Yu, Renuka Vithal,2008

Copyright:Bhaskar Pegu

Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project:This Project will push indigenous Mising tribe on the verge of survival

2010-11-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

Looking back!!Am I really a fundamentalist Mising???????????????

2010-10-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

I feel that my friends were not wrong to called me a "fundamentalist Mising" in my college days.All the earlier blog posts seemed to reflect who i was during my college life.I am opening this college diary (blog)after many days (months!)and looking back my past .But it was naive to judged i was doing only "fundamentalist"kind of things.So I put my thoughts into writing to judge my stance...before all my friends who dubbed me "fundamentalist" whom i think they were less informed on my writings.To begin with,I wrote in the national magazine like "Frontline" on different issues which were published in the letters columns from Fidel Castro to Indo-China relations ...Naxalites issues....tribal issues....Also in the The Assam Tribune on different issues from engineering college in Dhemaji to reopening of Library in Guwahati....power cuts,rail coach...women trafficking...etc. on Letters columns..i made my writing appeared in "The Hindu" comparing on Irom Shamila's hunger strike and KCR's fasting for Telengana in India.I once highlighted the Matmara issue on Geotube Tech embankment in an Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin which i saw later on that my idea was included as part of a political party's manifestoes.Besides,I also signed up many online petitions through Survival International and Greenpeace on human rights and environmental issues.(Thank God,most writings are available on web till now!)
One shouln't think that i wrote all things only on Mising issues...sorry I clarified one thing on our place in "The Hindu"quite different from many familiar issues.......i highlighted in my college days.I feel now sorry if I'd ever hurt other's(Non-Mising) sentiments......but many things improved by doing all these sort of "sentimental things"....which has been helping me in broadening my mental calibre....What actually is that i was born and brought up in Mising society ....never intermingled with other cultures before coming to Guwahati....whatever i know was from Mising society and my rural educational background....so it was obvious that i "bark" more on Mising.My perceptions and interpretations of this world are based on my experiences with the society andthe knowledge i have acquired hitherto.If writings on small tribe like Mising society is construed as conservative one...or a fundamentalist kind of thing...i'm happy with friend's accorded "label"!Whether i'm a "fundamentalist" or not everyone can decide.....it's up to you dear reader.....if someone is called "fundamentalist" because of writing such things i think there should be a more definitional inclusiveness of the term.In SRK styled tone I want to shout :"My name is Bhaskar PEGU but i'm not a fundamentalist MISING".
(Dedicated to my college friends of Cotton College and my known and unknown critics)

TMPK mulls ‘armed struggle’ over MAC issue

2010-03-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, March 19: The TMPK has hinted at an armed struggle against the State Government if the authorities continue to dilly-dally on the organization’s demands for election to the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) and inclusion of the Council in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
“We have been agitating for election to the MAC and inclusion of the Council in the Sixth Schedule for long. The government has given us false promises ever since. It seems the government will pay heed to our demands only if we explode bombs or take up arms”, said TMPK president Johan Dole at a news conference here today.
Dole insisted that the CBI should probe the financial anomalies that had taken place in the MAC since 1995. The State Government had recently announced a CBI investigation into the corruption in the MAC following public outcry over the issue.
All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU) president Tankeswar Rabha demanded submission of the report of the Dr Bhumidhar Barman-led ministerial level committee which was constituted by the State Government on December 18 2003 to examine the demand of various organizations for inclusion of the MAC, Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“The report of the ministerial-level committee has not been submitted till date. It shows that there is a conspiracy to stop the process of elections to the MAC, TAC and RBAC. The report should be submitted immediately”, said Rabha.
Referring to the cases pending in the Gauhati High Court against the MAC, TAC and RHAC, the ARSU leader said the government was legally bound to conduct elections to the autonomous councils, adding, “Cases have been filed in the HC by people of the government and so the government should settle the cases to facilitate early elections to the councils”.
Rabha claimed that the ARSU had seized at least 150 illegal seals from the office of the RHAC which, he said, revealed corruption in the Council. “The government needs to carry out a proper inquiry into the corruption in the RHAC”, he added.

Source:The Sentinel,March 20,2010

TOP

Experts’ bid to unravel causes behind erosion

2010-01-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

Ajit Patowary

GUWAHATI, Jan 21 – Experts are trying to determine the factors mainly responsible for river bank erosion in Assam, particularly in its Brahmaputra Valley for several decades, as, erosion has been causing more havoc for the State’s people compared to flood. Five experts have, in a joint paper, pointed out to some vital factors, which have been triggering erosion in the State.

It is estimated that around 7.4 per cent of land areas of the Brahmaputra Valley has been lost due to bank erosion ‘in the recent history of observation.’

The five experts in a joint paper have maintained that in general, the losses due to erosion show an increasing trend. They have said that the reports available with the Assam Water Resources Department indicate loss of 3,860 square kilo meters (sq kms) of State’s land since 1954 due to this factor. The rate of loss is estimated to be about 80 sq kms per year.

The erosion of the Brahmaputra wiped out more than 2,500 villages and 18 towns, including sites of cultural heritage and tea gardens, affecting the lives of nearly half a million people.

About 130 river reaches are presently classified as being under moderate to severe erosion and 25 reaches as very severe. A comparison between the value of land lost to riverbank erosion and flood damage, between 1954 and 1969, indicates that the costs of riverbank erosion were 35 per cent to 85 per cent of the losses caused by the ravages of flood, said these experts.

In their paper – River Bank Erosion and Restoration in the Brahmaputra River in India – Dr Arvind Phukan, a former Professor in the University of Alaska, Rajib Goswami of the State Water Resources Department, Dr Deva Borah of the Woolpert Inc, Portsmouth, Ananta Nath of the Big Cypress Basin, South Florida Water Management District, and Dr Chandan Mahanta of the Guwahati IIT, made the above observation.

These experts, in their above paper, have tried to throw light on the factors responsible for riverbank erosion. To them, the rate of rise and fall in river water level, number and position of the major channels which remain active during flood and the angle at which the thalweg approaches the bank line, are the factors responsible for bank erosion.

Besides, they found the amount of scour and deposition that occurs during the flood, variability of the cohesive soil in bank material composition, formation and movement of large bed forms, intensity of bank slumping and progression of abandoned river courses to present-day channel also to be responsible for river bank erosion in the State.

They further maintained that due to the braided characteristics, the main stem river consists of variable number of different sized channels and sand bars which change their locations and sizes each year.

The most significant bank line modifications take place during the falling stages when excess sediment is deposited as bars within channel, causing a change in local flow direction and migration of thalweg.

During floods, because of change of river hydraulics (mainly depth, velocity and shear stress), inducing variable sediment transport characteristics and erosive forces, the channel starts shifting at some vulnerable reaches, they observed.

The key factors that cause extreme instability in the Brahmaputra river at many vulnerable reaches, such as – Nagaghuli, Maijan, Majuli, Bhairabpur, Balikuchi, Kaziranga, Howlighat and Palasbari – are aggradation of the riverbed, intense braiding, large water discharge and heavy sediment load since the 1950 flood, said these experts.

Moreover, there is a tendency of the river to shift southward within the valley reach. The tendency has become more prominent after the Great Earthquake of 1950, which raised the whole landmass of the northeastern part of the valley, particularly the north of the river including the Himalayan foothill region by 3 to 4 metres.

This southward thrust has initiated widespread erosion in the south bank near the Dibrugarh town and is still continuing at different reaches in spite of the implementation of aggressive bank protection measures. The Assam Water Resources Department has identified 25 such vulnerable and severe river bank erosion sites.

Moreover, they said, the records of the last century show a general trend of widening of the Brahmaputra in Assam. The widening trend of the river is clearly visible when compared with the erosion and accretion rates over different periods. Long-term observations on width changes of the river are available, although data from different authors are not directly comparable, they said.

Eviction notice to Mising at Gohpur

2009-09-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

The Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) today warned of dire consequences if the State Government insists on evicting the indigenous Mising people living on the bank of the Brahmaputra in Sonitpur district in the name of sixth expansion of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP). The students’ body said in a statement signed by its president Johan Doley, general secretary Indra Kumar Chungkrang and publicity secretary Rahul Loying, alleged that the State Government has been hatching a plot to settle the suspected Bangladesh nationals in parts of the national park between Jakhalabandha and Bagori, along the National Highway.

And to facilitate this illegal settlement, the Government has now served eviction notices on the indigenous people of 18 villages under Bakoridoloni Gaon Panchayat, Bartamuly Gaon Panchayat and Rawnamukh Gaon Panchayat in Sonitpur district, it said.The Government is turning a blind eye to the rapid encroachment in the Orang National Park and the Pabitara Wildlife Sanctuary. Under the very nose of the Forest Department of the State Government, encroachers belonging to doubtful nationality have eliminated the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.But, while all these are going on unabated, the State Forest Department has asked about 10,000 indigenous Mising people living in the above villages since time immemorial and who have been paying land revenue since 1947, to vacate their land measuring about 15,000 hectares for facilitating sixth expansion of the KNP.
If the Government has any plan to save the KNP, it should go for operations to evict the encroachers of doubtful origin from the National Park and also to protect the park’s land area from the erosion of the Brahmaputra, said the students’ body. It has demanded immediate revocation of the proposal for forth and sixth expansion of the KNP. As, it said, these would affect the indigenous people of the State. Or else, it warned that it would resist any attempt at implementing the above expansion programmes.
Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,Sept.11,2009

Dhemaji remains cut-off for more than ten days

2009-08-31T05:55:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Asom Gana Parishad visiting Dhemaji

Dhemaji will remain cut-off by road for at least over ten days, as, the Border Road Organisation (BRO), which is engaged to restore road link to the district, will need 10 to 15 days more to install a bailey bridge over Samarajan. Road link to a major part of the district is disrupted for the 14 th day today since August 13. Railway link to the district is also snapped since August 13.

Meanwhile, work to restore the rail link is going on and it will take a few more days to complete the work, said NF Railway sources here.According Dhemaji Deputy Commissioner Dr P Ashok Babu, the district administration has put up two temporary foot bridges at Samarajan on the NH-52 and at Butikur on the Dhemaji-Dhakuwakhana PWD Road for the benefit of the people.The floodwaters of the Samarajan and Jiadhol-Kumatia had breached the NH-52 at three places. One of the breaches located at Samarajan is around 100 metre in length and the other two on both ends of the Jiadhol-2 Bridge, are comparatively smaller in size. People can cross the Jiadhol breaches on foot now as the floodwater has started receding for the rainless condition during the past three days. The BRO people are now doing the earth work to fill up the Jiadhol-2 Bridge breaches.It needs mention here that the recent wave of floods affected around 1.6 lakh people of 252 villages in the district.

The floodwaters affected vast areas of Dhemaji sub-division and some parts of Jonai sub-division. However, there is no report of outbreak of any communicable disease from any part of the district so far, said the Deputy Commissioner.By this time, floodwaters have started receding gradually in Majuli river island and normalcy is expected to return to the island within the next seven to ten days, said SDO (Civil) of Majuli P Handique.The civil administration of the island held a meeting with the traders’ organisations of the island today with view to maintaining the price line and also the quality of the essential items.

The traders are asked to display the price lists of the essential commodities for the knowledge of the customers, said the SDO.A meeting of the Gaon Burhas is also convened tomorrow by the civil administration to make them aware of the need to maintain a live communication with the civil administration on issues like food poisoning, outbreak of communicable diseases etc. It needs mention here that some islanders fell ill recently after taking maah prasad at a religious function.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,27-08-09

Floods in Dhemaji,Lakhimpur

2009-08-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

After a spate of dry spell in Assam ,three upper Assam districts Dhemaji,Lakhimpur and Sonitpur are hit by flash floods follwing heavy showers in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh and incessant rains in those districts.The flash floods has breached several embankments in the three districts in the rivers like Kakoi,Subansiri,Jiadhol,Kumotia.

At Dhemaji two persons were drowned including a three months child on 12 August in Bordoloni even the current of rivers washed away the two ends of a Bailey bridge.The damage in the bridge has cut off the district and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.In the meantime, the Ranganadi flood water has damaged a pier of the RCC Bridge over the river on the NH-5In Lakhimpur district, the Kakoi river has breached its right bank embankment at five places – two breaches at 5 km, one breach at 6 km and two breaches at 7km. The flood water of the river has also overtopped its right embankment between Lilabari TE and Kadom.

The Ronganadi has breached its left bank embankment at one place at 2nd km and the right bank embankment at three places – one each at 4.5 km, 6 km and 7km. The Singara has breached its dyke between Phulbari and Barsola – two breaches at 6km and one breach at 8 km. The Dorpang has breached its Rajgarh-Pichala embankment at 7km.It needs mention here that the Brahmajan had breached its left bank embankment at one place yesterday. With the rainfall during the past one week, the State has been able to overcome much of its deficit in rainfall. The deficit has come down to 18 per cent now. With the good rainfall activities during the past one week, the State has now recorded a total rainfall of 812.2mm, against the normal of 984.6 mm, since June 1. It needs mention here that meteorologists treat 19 per cent less or more rainfall as normal rainfall.

The State recorded 23 per cent deficit rainfall till August 8. It had received a total rainfall of 703.8 mm of rainfall till then against the normal of 920 mm, said sources in the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) here.The RMC sources also said that there is a likelihood of moderate rain or thundershower at many places over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam-Mdghalaya, Nagaland-Manipur-Mizoram meteorological sub-divisions of the NE region till the morning of August 162, weakening the bridge, near North Lakhimpur town, the district headquarters of Lakhimpur.
References-The Assam Tribune,15 August,2009

An Experience in Matmara,simple folks were exploited by Malyasian corporate

2009-07-16T03:40:00.000-07:00

For the last few months i traveled many Tani inhabited places and now here is a piece of writing which i encountered in Matmara,Northeast India's most flood ravaged area located in Assam's Lakhimpur district.

I experienced this happening on June 01,2009 when i was visiting Matmara to see the latest geotube fabric embankment construction sanctioned at Rs.142 crore whereas the contract has been handed over to a Malayasian corporate named Emaskira by the Assam government.
I was taking rest in a shop front after reaching the place because i felt exhausted after riding the bicycle in the scorching heat of beginning June.I saw a group of people gathering beneath a tree in circle.Therefore i asked my brother to enquired the matter who was also coming with me.Without waiting for the result,I got into the place after i heard someone speaking in English ,then i asked my Tani fellows who were in the circle on the matter .

The fellows briefed me the matter in Tani(Mishi) language.The fact was that our Tani people were appealing a foreign engineer,a fat man who was in his forties,to increase their wage rate of night working hours.Our people ,who were engaged as labours to fix bamboo in the river bank, were insisting for Rs.20 per hour but the company man was offering them only Rs.10 per hour for the night work.Our people were helpless because there was no one to translate there speaking into English,just the folks were saying ok,ok.

I landed on the scene and helped out our people's demand to the engineer.I told the fat Malayasian that our people want larger wage rate since night jobs are risky and these simple people has no place to get work because everything has gone in the repeated floods.At first the foreigner responded me by increasing the wage upto Rs 12 but said it is the right international wage rate and they can't do more.But our people got angry after hearing it and said if Rs 100 is paid for eight hours work in day time how could it be possible.

I told the engineer again word of every word in English after listening the people's words.Two Assamese speaking subcontractors ,i guessed,were standing by the side.After that the Malayasian murmurred with the two Asomiyas.By then,the scene was becoming hotter as our people were gradually turning excited.Again,the wage rate was now increased up to Rs 15.10 per hour even our people were seemed unsatisfied till.Our people spoke me in Tani and asked me to tell the engineer that they are not working if the wage rate was so,also our people will not allowed other men to work there if they are not given the said wage.

Meanwhile,i explained the Malayasian and the Asomiya duo in English what the people had told.Ah!By now they increased the rate up to Rs 18.75 per hour and said that this is the exact international wage rate and they are paying their best.At last our people seemed to be satisfied and slowly got dispersed.One or two asked where i was from and thanked me for the assistance.

I want to asked my fellow readers of my blog,isn't the Malayasian corporate exploiting our people by taking the advantage of people's ignorance?
If not,why the corporate's international wage rate went zig zag in a few minutes?

Faulty engineering work led to Matmora breach’

2009-03-31T01:56:00.000-07:00

A section of the State’s senior water resources engineers is of the opinion that the spacing of the bullhead spurs in the Matmora area and their not being linked up with the un-submersible riverbank, resulted in intense erosion activities of the Brahmaputra in that area.These engineers also maintain that initially erosion of the Brahmaputra in Matmora area was triggered by the Railways’ closing of the Brahmaputra channel near Kareng Chapori, which is located at the upstream of Matmora.

The channel was hugging the north bank. The channel’s closure resulted in erosion in the downstream areas.All these features need careful study while planning and executing any anti-erosion project afresh in Matmora area, said these engineers. It needs mention here that the Water Resources Department (WRD) of the State constructed three river-stone bullhead spurs in Matmora area in 2002-03. Those spurs were aimed at pushing the deep channel of the Brahmaputra away from the north bank to the middle of the river course.The spacing of the bullheads was such that big gaps were left amid the structures enabling the river channel to flow with unhindered intensity. The design so far as these gaps were concerned, contradicted the acceptable engineering norms. Moreover, the spurs were not linked to the bank. The practice of linking the spurs to the unsubmersible bank, with proper fortification, is crucial so as to prevent their outflanking by the river, said the engineers.

Consequently, during the early waves of the 2003 floods, the downstream end bullhead came under intense onslaught of the Brahmaputra. The rear end of the bullhead had to bear the brunt of the flood waters.And in 2004, this bullhead was outflanked and the bank itself became vulnerable to the Brahmaputra onslaught. For the entire rainy season that year and also in the next year, this process continued and by the end of 2005, all the bullheads were outflanked by the Brahmaputra.The strong bank of the bullheads now came inside the river and these structures, built to push the deep channel to the midstream, themselves started pushing the river towards the north bank.

This led to repeated breach of the embankment in Matmora area.The last devastating breach of the dyke occurred in 2008 and it posed grave threat to Dhakuakhana and Majuli subdivisions, said the engineers. On the present history of the erosion in the area, the engineers said that erosion first started near Kareng Chapori, about 20 km upstream of Matmora, around 2000 AD.Since 2000 AD, erosion of the Brahmaputra led to the breach in the Barbil-Kareng Chapori dyke on two occasions.

NF Railway closed the breach in 2002-03. But the flood that occurred immediately after this breach closure, washed away the closed portion of the dyke.Railways then closed the breach again and simultaneously it started laying the approach road to the north end of the Bogibeel Bridge.

This closed the Brahmaputra channel that was hugging the north bank. This reduced the pressure on the Kareng Chapori, but the pressure of the Brahmaputra on the Matmora area intensified since then, said the engineers.They suggested that the government should take into consideration the history of dyke failure in Matmora area with right earnest to prevent recurrence of such developments in future.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,March 25,2009

Nomads of Malayasia who lives in sea shore

2009-02-18T23:44:00.000-08:00

Courtesy:http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/02/18/1821s455090.htm,Young sea gypsies play in the water in the centre of their neighbourhood in the Sulawesi Sea in Malaysia's state of Sabah on the Borneo island February 17, 2009. A community of 30 families of the indigenous ethnic group of sea gypsies are still maintaining a nomadic and sea-based life without fresh water supply, TV nor electricity, and only go to land to bury the dead.[Photo: Xinhua/Reuters)

Ali-a:ye-lígang celebrated with pomp and gaiety

2009-02-18T22:55:00.000-08:00

These are the vibes seen among the Mising Tani in North Lakhimpur and Guwahati during Lígang celebration.Photo:UB and Asomiya Pratidin.

Pilot project with latest technology to be launched in Matmara

2009-02-10T03:53:00.000-08:00

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) has sanctioned a pilot project for construction of embankment at Matmora in Lakhimpur district using the latest geo fabric tube technology. Sanction for the pilot project is the first of its kind using the latest technology to protect bunds and embankment. The pilot project for construction of the five km embankment is estimated to cost Rs 142 crore. The original proposal submitted by Assam Government, sources said was for Rs 206 crore. However, the MoWR is giving the State Government full credit for proposing introduction of the latest technique. Officials lauding the initiative of Assam Government said that the Ministry had embarked on an elaborate research exercise on the viability of the new technique, before it cleared the pilot project recently. If successful, the technique would be introduced elsewhere in the country, sources said.

The Geo Fabric Tubes or Geo Textile Technology is being used exclusively in several erosion prone countries. The technology though costly, is seen as a long-term solution, that the Government has been looking for, sources said.One of the US-based Company that introduced the Geo-Filter Tube Erosion Barrier claimed that at 25 per cent of the cost of conventional bulkheads or bunds, it was the most cost effective and environmentally responsible shoreline erosion barrier available."Shoreline erosion is a serious issue in Florida, and continues to grow worse every day. Erosion control is easily solved by installation of the Geo-Filter Tube erosion barrier, the Company's web site said.

The Geo-Filter Tube is constructed of a spun-bond polyester fabric sewn together to form a custom diameter tube. The tube is interconnected along the waters edge, then a small sand pump is used to fill the tube with the same sand and organic material that has been eroding into the lake or canal. The final result is a long lasting fully contained sand filter barrier that will stabilize the bank from erosion and filter rainwater and irrigation run off. The Geo-Filter Tube erosion barrier can be installed on any shoreline contour or stacked pyramid fashion to create a more substantial barrier to protect against soil erosion during heavy rains.

Once the Geo-Filter Tube is sodded the durability and life span is unlimited, the company claimed. Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, last July after surveying the breaches at Matmora had said the State government would take up scientific construction of the embankment from October this year to prevent the recurrence of the breach. The Brahmaputra River had breached about 200 metres of a crucial embankment at Matmora in Lakhimpur district, flooding the entire district, as well as the Majuli Island in Jorhat district, in the third wave of floods in the State last year.
Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,February 4,2009

Luoba Nationality:The lesser known Tani brothers of China

2009-02-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

Where the Luoba lives?
Scattered primarily throughout the Luoyu Region of southeast Tibet, the Luoba, with a population of 2,965 are the smallest of China's 56 ethnic groups. Their name is derived from the Tibetan word for southerners.

Economy:Living at the foot of Himalayas, almost completely isolated from the outside world and kept in virtual slavery by the government of Tibet, the Luoba lagged behind the rest of the world until the 1950s when with the help of the Chinese government, all aspects of their life began to improve. Blessed with a wide variety of resources, ranging from animals and plants to minerals, the Luoba economy is based on agriculture and hunting.

Language and Character:The Luoba language, which belongs to the Tibetan-Burman group of Sino-Tibetan languages, has no writing system, so most Luoba speakers use Tibetan characters. The legends of the Luoba have been passed on orally, often using Jiajin, a unique melody used for relating traditional epics.

Belief:The Luoba people believe that the world is filled with spirits which dominate their lives, control nature, cause disasters and bestow happiness. They pray to the spirits, seeking blessings, and believe that shamans have the power to control them.

Food and Food Custom:Because of the proximity of the Luoba ethnic minority to the Tibetan people, the food, culture and customs resemble those of the Tibetans. The staple foods are rice, corn and a kind of local grain called 'Jizhuagu' (Chicken's claw grain) with which they brew a popular yellow wine. Buckwheat pies dusted with chilli powder are another favorite.The Luoba ethnic minority is very hospitable and places high value on ettiquette. When there are guests, they must be given the most distinguished seats and offered the most prized parts of each dish. The Luoba hunt with poisoned arrows, so meat must be treated after the animal is cut up. Before dinner, the host will drink and eat a little to show that the food is safe. Guests should eat all the food put before them on the table, or the host will be offended.

Festivals:Some of the Luoba people observe festivals according to the Tibetan calendar, while others live according to their own calendar, so the Luoba ethnic minority has no unified dates to celebrate together. Most, however, celebrate the arrival of the New Year by slaughtering pigs, oxen or sheep and sharing the meat with others. Drinking, singing and dancing are other popular new year's pastimes.

The above texts and photo are collected from http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/127Traditions831.html but the common knowledge by Tani people living in India called them as Lhoba which is incorrect,hope the above information will help all to clarify the mistake.

Hydro-bombs in North East India

2009-01-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

Pix:Ritu Raj Konwar .The Subansiri(Obonori) river where the proposed 2000 MW Hydel Project by NHPC is under-construction which is slated to be complete on 2012The central government's proposed decision to build as many as 180 mega dams in North Eastern region is a dangerous move without assessing and properly studying about the long term fragile impact which may proved to be a major catastrophe in the future in NE India region.The Northeast Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) Hydel Project of Ranganadi near Lakhimpur has already proved peril to the people of that region destroying large number of lives and property as well as rendering hundreds homeless during the last year's monsoon season. The Lower Subansiri Hydel Project,which is presently under construction by National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) with an aim to generate high 2000 MW in Gerukamukh in the adjoining Dhemaji district and Lower Subansiri district,if completed ,shall be no exception.

The construction of such high powered dams is bound to compound the problem of floods and erosions in the river banks,ecological imbalance,decreasing of soil fertility,loss of forest andaquatic resources,extinction of varieties of flora and fauna,resulting unimaginable natural disaster. in the entire downstream region of Subansiri river.

The constructon of mega dam in Gerukamukh is also a threat to the existence of inhabited Majuli Island,which is also one of the world's largest riverine island.Besides,there are many ''hidden threats'' such as it will affect the fishing communities who depends on the river for their livelihood and forced displacement of the Mising tribe as well as other indigenous communities from their habitat who lives along the banks of Subansiri river. If the regular flowing of water is compromised,the entire landscape of the river banks would also be transformed instantly.

The earlier report of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared by a team experts hasn't able to gained the confidence of the local populace,it was a biased report in order to satisfy the corporates needs only.The ethnic Tani student organisation Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) including All Assam Students' Union has launched a number of agitations demanding reassesment and halting of the hydel project.The recent announcement for another assessment report should take into account the forseeable disasters and other significant impacts .The proposed mega hydel project in Lower Dibang Valley,with an estimated 3000 MW in Arunachal Pradesh also the country's second largest proposed dam , has already been objected to the construction of mega dam in the region,fearing displacement and outnumbering of the local ethnic Idu Mishmi tribe's populace by outstation workers.The Siyom Hydel Project (1000 MW), which is being proposed to built in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh by Reliance corporate,is too facing similar protests from the indigenous Bori clan of Adi Tani tribe,who also depends on forest resources and fishing for livelihood in the place. Again,the recent agreement of Arunachal Pradesh government with one Jindal corporate for the contruction of 4500MW over Dibang river in the upper course has been flayed by number of organisations in the respected state as well as in neighbouring Assam.The prominent student organisation All Assam Students' Union has joined hands with the ethnic student organisation TMPK recently on August 3,2009 and announced a series mass protest movements demanding adequate safeguard to life and property of the people living in the downstream areas of the mega hydel projects.The proposed 1500MW Tipaimukh dam in Manipur has also evoked protest from the people of India as well as Bangladesh.Due to huge protests,the Tipaimukh hydel project issue has prompted the two countries to hold parliamentary delegation meetings.

The entire hydel projects in North East will proved costly and bring about untold sufferings not only to the present generation but also to thefuture generation to the people of the region in the long run .The mega projects which are being constructed to provide back up to the developing economy of India will lead to huge disastrous impacts both natural as well artificial ,not only to the country,but also to the entire world that would result in global warming and climate change.It is high time that the centre rethink the proposed building of such a huge number of mega hydel project in the region realising the long term affects and act in the greater interests of the people.The hydel projects are also dubbed by the local press and people as hydro-bombs in NE India.The hydel projects of Northeast India won't help to prosper but are major disaster-in-waiting for the netizens of the region.

Asam Sahithya Sabha acting against the interests of Mising Tanis

2009-01-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

DHEMAJI:The Asam Sahithya Sabha(ASS), which is an apex organisation dedicated to the development of Assamese language and literature is adamant on changing the dates of its session that is slated to be in Dhemaji despite appeals made by two Mising organisations.The date for the ASB session is from 14 to 18 Feb,2009,while the Mising's most revered national festival Ali-aye -ligang falls on 18 Feb,2009.It may be mentioned here that Dhemaji district is the most Mising populated zone.In this case, how a revered social organisation of the Assamese people like ASS could ignored the important dates and the agri-religious-cultural festival which is very much important for the ethnic group for celebration in the very district?The concern of the Misings is-will not it affects the Lígang preparation and fair cooperation from the Misings in the session?The Mising apex organisation Mising Bane Kebang secretary-general Bondhuram Pawegam and Mising Dirbi Kebang secretary Ekalavya Gam has already appealed the ASS to postpone the sessional dates in this regard and expressed 'shock' over their ignorance and undermined response.Pawegam has said that such a development will compelled the Misings a complete non-cooperation during the session.The Dhemaji ASS's organising committee is inviting criticisms from not only the Mising Tanis,the Assamese themselves too.Is not ASB acting against the Mising Tanis?

Questions on Matmara:Whose interests is the government serving?

2009-01-22T03:16:00.000-08:00

Pix:AFP.Matmara during last year monsoon

GUWAHATI:The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today warned the State Government of a vigorous agitation in case the Government fails to keep its words on protecting the Sissikalghar-Tekeliphuta dyke in the about one-and half-a-kilometre stretch of Matmara area expeditiously. The repeated failure of the dyke in that area since 1996, has eliminated a good number of villages and pauperised thousands of people. Several educational institutions have also been washed away or buried under sand by the Brahmaputra and a number of Government offices and a vast area of have been buried by the river under the sand it has deposited in the area.

The schools washed away by the Brahmaputra include Matmara LP School, R K Baligaon LP School, Janjhi LP School and Karshing Katang High School. Authorities of the All Assam Miri Higher Secondary School, which is the first Mising higher secondary school in the State, were compelled to shift their school to safer areas for the third time now due to the sand of the Brahmaputra making it impossible for them to reclaim the school.

Stating all these, AASU organising secretary Jagadish Dutta, who is also the general secretary of the Association of Past and Present Office-Bearers of Cotton College Union Society, said that the State Government had failed to discharge its duties to rehabilitate and compensate the Matmara flood victims.The failure of the dyke in Matmara area has also posed serious threat to the famous river island Majuli, Dutta said and informed that preparations were on to take the matter to the court also.Floods have made life miserable for almost the entire population of the Dhakuwakhana sub-division. The 38-km long Dhakuwakhana-Gogamukh Road, which is the only road connecting Dhakuwakhana with Gogamukh, is now in such a wretched condition that it takes over two hours to travel to Dhakuwakhana from Gogamikh or vice versa, he alleged.

Though the Government engaged Geo-textile Fabrics, an Australian company to implement a geo-textile project for the protection of the dyke in Matmara area, the implementation of the scheme is yet to start. The deadline fixed for completing the scheme was fixed in March, 2009, said Dutta.The Guwahati-based students of the area have been meeting the Chief Minister with the prayer to protect the Sissi-Tekeliphuta Dyke in Matmara area, since 2001. The leading citizens of the area also met the Water Resources Department Minister Prithivi Majhi on several occasion.But the Government is yet to take concrete steps to save the people of the Matmara area from the vagaries of the Brahmaputra, he said.

Giving an example of the functioning of the Water Resources Department, he alleged that the Department had told him in reply to his queries that an amount of Rs 2 crore was spent on erecting a bullhead for the protection of Matmara area, including Dhakuwakhana town (Phase-I) in February 2006. A similar amount was spent on another bullhead to protect the area with a similar structure in the same month of the same year. Dutta had applied for the answers in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Information Act.But, he said, the fact remained that there was no bullhead constructed to protect the area from the floods of the Brahmaputra.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune

Taniland outfit in culmination?Orders ban on illegal logging

2009-01-22T01:50:00.000-08:00

DIBRUGARH,JAN 22:In what may be a sensational news for the Tani groups of people,an outfit claiming to be the organisation of National Liberation Council of Taniland(NLCT),has issued ban order on illegal logging along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh belt wtih immediate effect,reported in the The Assam Tribune in its previous day's edition,which is also NE India's most widely circulated daily, under a brief heading named "Illegal logging" in the front page's News Capsule.As stated in the daily,the outfit in a faxed press released stated to be irked due to the unabated illegal logging in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border by some vested interests and money mongers and expressed concerned over the loss of forest resources and degrading ecological imbalance in the region.The organisational detail or leadership of NLCT is ,however,not known so far.

This seemed to be the first ever press release of the outfit and though ban order is an austere expression over the significant forest resources,if logging continues,however,hasn't accompanied any consequences .

The news of such outfit has sparked an awe astonishment as well as curiousness among some section of readers,especially among the Mising tribe, whose sizeable chunk of population inhabits along the Assam-Arunachal border and the tribe too belong to Tani groups of people.It is noteworthy that last year Gegong Apang,former chief minister and senior Congress leader of Arunachal Pradesh,was accused of instigating hundreds of youths for demonstration in New Delhi to demand Taniland or autonomous council by other Congress leaders in Arunachal Pradesh.The Tani groups are Mongoloid people who are variedly known as Adi,Nyishi,Galo,Bangni,Apa,Tagin,Hill Miri in Arunachal Pradesh and Mising in Assam of India as well as Luoba in China,who lives along the frontier of India.
References and related information: http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/print-3921.html ,http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jan2109/at013 ,http://mishingrenaissance.blogspot.com/2008/08/mishing-renaissance-introduction.html

Jonai Lígang blast:Pro-talk outfit leader hints Ulfa's involvement

2009-01-17T23:46:00.000-08:00

A File Photo:UB Photos Mrinal Hazarika :Unravelling Mystery

JONAI,JAN 18:IN a new twist to the continuing mystery of Jonai Lígang bombing,Mrinal Hazarika ,a leader of pro-talk faction of the United Liberation Front Of Asom(ULFA),currently under ceasefire with the government,said here, yesterday that it was not feasible to comment on the serious issue at this hour though he didn't denied involvement of the outfit.However,he was seen attempting to divert the important query by the journalists.This sensational statement was revealed in an interactions with media persons by the outfit's pro-talk leader in Jonai Circuit House while he came to the border town to attend a public meeting held at Silapathar in Dhemaji district of Assam.

It may be noted here that the infamous and barbaric Jonai cultural bombing took place in the midnight of March 15,2008 that left four persons dead and 104 persons injured while thousands of Misings were gathering in an Ali-A:ye-Lígang cultural function at Jonai Dírbí Okum complex.The blast that happened under a mysterious circumstances evoked tremendous outpoured of protests and uproar among the Misings and other Tani fraternity but unfotunately neither a conclusion was arrived at nor a single perpetrator was nabbed by any quarters.The state government of Assam as well as the centre didn't felt a sense of responsibilty by commissioning even an inquiry to unravelled the mystery of first ever such kind of cultural onslaught on a particular ethnic minority in the history of the country.

Mrinal Hazarika,Ulfa's 28th Bn leader,whose A and C companies are under ceasefire since last year,underlined the need of greater autonomy for the state of Assam though there are reasonable historical backgrounds for the support of a sovereign independent Assam but it is not possible to have it at this moment of difficult times while unabated immigration from Bangladesh,Nepal and other parts of the country as well as the separatist ideology of different indigenous tribes of Assam put a question mark on the very identity of the Assamese people and state of Assam within 30 years from now.He also added the Ulfa has failed to unite the indigenous tribal groups of Assam.He also expressed his concern on outsider's control of state politics of Assam referring referring to the 2001 census data that there are 22 percent of Assamese people and 49.7 per cent of Assamese language speakers in Assam .

References:
Asomiya Pratidin,18-01-2009,Page 3
http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/06/stories/2006080611500105.htm
http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/ULFA_triggers_blast_in_Assam_4_killed/

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/blast-leaves-4-dead-60-injured-ahead-of-ulfa-raising-day/285206/ - 47k - Cached - Similar pages

TMPK burnt Assamese film sets,demand for ban

2009-01-12T23:09:00.001-08:00

GUWAHATI,Jan 13:The elite Tani student organisation Takam Mising Porin Kébang(TMPK) and Mising Dírbí Kébang(Mising Cultural Association) have taken serious reservation on a dialogue in an Assamese film for its derogatory and utter negligent comment on Mising Tanis.The Mising organisations expressed strong resentment against the NK Productions recent Assamese VCD '' Bohagor Nachoni 2 " for the irresponsible and ill-motivated attitude towards the Mising Tanis.

The TMPK units of Dhakuakhana and Lakhimpur on January 12 burnt several sets of the Assamese VCD in protest against the derogatory remarks.TMPK central committee's publicity secretary Dilip Pegu told that the organisation will not resist such filthy attitudes and insult of the community and condemned the NK Productions for its shortsigtedness."The Mising tribe being the second largest community amongst tribals residing in the state of Assam will not remained silent on the issue that hurt the sentiments of the people emotionally and ethnically.It is the result of some ill-minded Assamese who bears negligent attitudes to its own sons of soils residing in the state in the name of promoting and diseminating Bihu culture,"he said .

TMPK Lakhimpur district committee President Biju Pegu and General Secretary Kiran Chandra Doley informed that the VCD has been strictly restricted from selling in all Mising inhabited districts of Assam.It needs to mentioned here that Mising Tani inhabits in eight upper Assam districts of the state with a population nearing 10 lakhs.

Meanwhile,the TMPK President Hemeswar Pegu told media persons that the NK Production should begged pardon from the Mising community publicly and warned of serious consequences if such incident are repeated in the future.He also questioned on who gave the firm the right to insult the community.In areas Dhakuakhana,Jonai,Dhemaji,Silapathar,Majuli,Dergaon,Golaghat,Sivasagar,Jorhat,Dibrugarh the student organization burnt many VCD sets.In Dergaon,the TMPK unit under Anjana Doley marched out a protest rally against the derogatory remark in the film.The TMPK and MDK has demanded the government to take the matter seriously and imposed ban on the film,otherwise it will approached the law courts to seek justice.The NK Production is a firm that make largest number of Assamese VCDs and cassettes.In one of the scene in the latest released " Bohagor Nachoni 2" has the dialogue "Tiri Miri Bathou Kuwa,Ei Chari Jator Ashoi Nupuwa" meaning stay away from Miri i.e.Mising.

Read more,please refer http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jan1309/State1

TMPK protests in Guwahati against mega dams

2009-01-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

Photo:Asamiya Pratidin

GUWAHATI, Jan 5 – Demanding immediate intervention of the Assam Government in the proposed mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh, three leading Mising organisations,Takam Mising Porin Kébang( TMPK), Mising Mimag Kébang(MMK) and Takam Mising Mimé Kébang(TMMK) have said that faulty planning and corruption had been responsible for the perennial problems of flood and erosion in the State. Hundreds of members of the organisations today staged a demonstration at Dispur Last Gate, highlighting their grievances and calling for a permanent solution to the problems.

“Floods used to be a boon for the farmers in the past but faulty planning, departmental inefficiency and corruption have combined to turn it into a curse. Deforestation in the neighbouring hilly States, large-scale extraction of boulders from riverbeds, and construction of big hydro-electric projects have compounded the problem manifold with the government authorities content to look the other way,” the TMPK said in a statement. Pointing out that release of water from the Ranganadi project caused unprecedented floods in Lakhimpur on June 14, 2008, the TMPK said that the proposed 160-odd mega dams in Arunachal Pradesh would spell doom for Assam and “we will continue to fight such irrational projects in the name of development.” Opposing the Government’s practice of constructing embankments without putting in place effective anti-erosion measures, the TMPK said that all-out efforts should be directed towards saving Matmara, as without protecting Matmara it would be impossible to protect Majuli. The TMPK also alleged that failure of the Finance Department to release funds on time was adversely affecting construction of critical embankments.

Other demands of the organizations included land survey on Mising-inhabited areas for granting of land patta to the Misings, adequate relief and rehabilitation measures for the flood-affected people; review of “faulty” construction process of the Bogibeel rail-cum-road bridge; and putting a stop to the practice of “whimsical” land requisition under the pretext of facilitating developmental project. The organisations warned that unless the Government took serious note of its grievances and initiated corrective measures, they would be compelled to launch an aggressive agitation.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,06-01-2009,Please refer

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jan0609/at09

Border Woes in Tani areas

2008-12-01T00:17:00.000-08:00

Steps to solve Assam-Arunachal border dispute urged
The assam Tribune,29-11-2008
JONAI, Nov 28 – In the wake of the recent violent incidents at Dimou and Ruksin portion of Assam-Arunachal border in Jonai subdivision, the police administration of both the States have taken measures for intensifying vigil in the border areas in order to thwart any bid to create an untoward situation.The row over the protected boundary between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh refuses to die down with both sides maintaining their claims and counter claims for years together over encroachment of each other’s land.

The unhealthy border row is not attended to by Assam government due to the presence of a local ‘boundary commission’ constituted after a Supreme Court directive to find an amicable solution to the dispute.Like the border dispute tension prevails along Assam-Arunachal border at Gumto in Lakhimpur district, another such problem is simmering along the border at Dimou under Dhemaji district. Same problem is noticed at Simenchapori and Kobu-Miniyakhal of Jonai subdivision bordering East Siang district of Arunachal, following unabated encroachment of land falling under the territory of Assam by the Arunachalis.According to reports a large area of Assam land is being encroached by Arunachal Forest Department at Upper Kobu (Miriyakhal) on the north bank of river Brahmaputra. The Jonai sub-divisional administration, following a set of complaints from the local students union had been dealing with the matter. Meanwhile the administration has taken stock of the situation after an executive magistrate had visited the area recently.An unofficial source informed that about 14,000 bighas of land including 8,063 bighas revenue land 6,063 bighas revenue land 6,724 bighas Forest kept of Assam territory lying at a length of 140 kilometer along the border has been encroached by Arunachal people during the last two decades. It is further alleged the Arunachal government has not been maintaining status quo and allegedly continuing construction works over the disputed land of border areas.Leaders of various organisations here including TMPK, AASU,AJYCP (Yuva Chatra) Dhemaji District Corruption Protection Committee and others have alleged that, the most sensitive issue of boundary disputes between the neighbouring states has been utterly neglected by the Assam government which is gradually becoming and causing frequent incidents of violence at the border.Referring to the recent violent incidents at Dimou where four persons of Dimou (Assam) were shot at by Arunachali people on November 3, the AASU finance secretary Tularam Gogoi has blamed the indifferent role of the elected representatives for solving the border problems,. He said that, Minister Bharat Chandra Narah and MP Dr Arun Sarma are keeping mum over the issue, thereby neglecting the security of the local people residing on the vulnerable state borders.The people have demanded the State government to adopt prompt measures on its own over the sensitive border issue and to arrange adequate security measures at the state border areas.

Be the first reader of this Tani poem:ARO TANI(THE TRUE TANI)

2008-11-15T02:18:00.000-08:00

Read the first ever Tani poem published on net in Mising Tani language composed by Mg.Polo Bomi
Aro Tani

Adi ara:lo, aying amo:lo
Do:mír taléto,among ara:bo
Aro Taniyé
Ager gertengé, do:ying kítengé
Adi barténgé, lékor korténgé
Du:yaryé lo:dípé
Aíké amigki kasudag, néppangki lusudag
Aíké alagki gersudag,aléki gísudag
Aro Tanibí
Manying ma:namdé,ager gernamdé
Tani légangé mimag monamdé
Aro Taniké
Du:yaryé mé:lod-gíloddé
Lo:dípé ka:begtíyé yalodém
Aro Taniké simangé kamang

The English version of the above poem is given below:

THE TRUE TANI
Mg.Polo Bomi
In the mountains, on the land of plains
Up above in the heaven, deep inside the earth surface
Everywhere live the True Tani
While he works, while he tell tales
While he climb over the mountains
While hymns are sang
He lives longer
He sees with his own eyes, speak with thine mouth
Works with own hands, stands up on his own leg
The True Tani

The dream he sees the work he does
The struggle he leads
It’s for the Tanis
His ideals and ideas will live longer
He’ll see his own shadow forever
No corpse of his lie anywhere

A Worth Remembering Conflict resolution between Tanis

2008-11-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Resolving conflicts
Misunderstandings, differences, conflicts, clashes between different groups, communities may arise from time to time due to varied perceptions. To prevent the occasional misunderstandings may not be feasible but it always can be patched up. The disputes should not be used as a convenient cause to drive a permanent wedge between two groups. The recent example displayed by the people of a border village in resolving their dispute is worth emulating. A violent clash notwithstanding which led to a firing incident could not stand in the way of finding an amicable solution and restoring the age old spirit of unity and friendship between the two groups. The people of Pale village in the Assam, Arunachal Pradesh border recently locked horns over a host of issues. The dispute took a turn for the worse with both the parties to the dispute hardening their stands. One of the groups — Takam Mising Porin Kebang enforced an economic blockade to protest against the firing incident at the Pale border village near Likabali in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

However, before the situation could deteriorate any further saner counsel prevailed. Within a week of the firing incident both the groups —Takam Mishing Porin Kebang and Galo Welfare Society along with Galo Students’ Union sat down for talks at Silapathar and sorted out the differences. The economic blockade was lifted and normalcy restored. Both the groups agreed to resolve all outstanding issues, including boundary dispute, through such peaceful negotiations and coordination meetings between members of both communities.Without letting the situation go out of hand both the groups acted promptly and handled the crisis in an amicable manner. Their action also helped in restoration of peace and harmony amongst the villagers residing in the inter-State boundary. Without keeping the issue alive both the groups resolved the differences amongst themselves without involving any third party. The groups also refrained from taking any help from the judiciary to solve the dispute. Nor did they allow any political party to fish in troubled waters and thereby keep the issue alive. The example set by the groups needs to be replicated. It will go a long way in resolving a host of disputes plaguing the State. People’s involvement can definitely help in resolving a number of local problems for which the politicians and the administration have no solution. Such an approach will also help in promoting better ties among different communities.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,Editorial15/11/2008

A Flood ravaged aerial picture of Majuli Island

2008-11-12T02:46:00.000-08:00

Photo:The Assam Tribune

Tani Brothers writes back

2008-11-12T02:04:00.000-08:00

Photo:Dilip Taid, An inside view of the'méram' (hearth)of a traditional Mising stilt house.Here an oldwoman sits near the 'méram'.

This part of the texts is taken from The Arunachal Times,Novenmber 12,2008 of Reader's Column

Thanks to TMPK and Mising community of Jonai sub-division
Madam,
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to extend my heartiest thanks to Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) of Jonai-Dhemaji, Mising community of Jonai sub-division and also specially heartiest thanks to those volunteers of TMPK and Mising community who have escorted our aspirants brother and sister who appeared an interview in the department of Tax and Excise in the state Capital. They arrived in full packed of three APST buses along with the banner ‘Siang Adi candidates for interview, department of tax and excise” from Jonai to Gogamukh in Assam during the indefinite bandh call in Dhemaji district in connection wit the recent incident occurred at Pale-Diimo area.
I have not seen buses with banner during the bandh call in the last ten years of my stay in Itanagar and I was shocked to see such buses with banner at Itanagar on Nov 8 morning.
Here I remember the history/story about Adi-Mising (Adi-Mising Doying) and communities relationship between its and migration of Mising in Assam plain.
Since pre-independence Adi (Padam) of Tayeng clan and Mishing clan of Tayeng, Tayung and Taye so on are tie-up and make brotherhoodness (Ani-Biiro). Not only the Tayeng clan of Padam but also some clan of similar clan of Padam also tie-up/make brotherhoodness to some Mising clan of Pegu, Doley, Morang and so on.
Lastly, I, once against thank the aforesaid community for their good help to our brothers and sister. And I also on behalf of the Siang Adi community as well as on my own behalf, would like to request both the communities to solve the matter immediately to bring normalcy and to see that such incidents do not occur in future.
Yours,
Bomtem Tayeng
Research Colony
Itanagar

Appeal for permanent solution to border tension
Madam,
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the present government, NGO’s, students union in general and the district administration of East Siang in particular regarding the recent firing incident at Demow.
The incident escalated to East Siang and Upper Siang district, creating anarchy and chaos for people living in border areas of Ruksin and Nari and Seren.
On Nov 7 last, I along with my nephew Samuel Paron of Ngorlung village Ruksin circle went to Jonai to purchase a wall clock for a bereaved family, while returning back around 30-40 TMPK youth from Assam attacked us with sharp weapons leaving my nephew with grievous head and chest injury. This incident happened just in front of Arunachal Pradesh Police.
We have lodged an FIR at Ruksin Police Station but till date there is no initiative and action against those culprits. The public, Panchayat leaders, students union of Ruksin area conducted a meeting to solve the ongoing situation and called on TMPK youths a bring normalcy on the area.
We have also asked the district administration and local police to bring an amicable solution but our prayers and initiative to save our life and property has been turned down repeatedly.
Therefore, I appeal the government of Arunachal Pradesh, students union and all Arunachalees to stand up and unite together to bring a permanent solution to this problem.
Yours,
Opang Taying
Ruksin, East Siang District

TMPK blockade lifted against Arunachal

2008-11-12T01:58:00.000-08:00

The Assam Tribune,11-11-2008

ITANAGAR, Nov 10 – Barely a week after the Pale village firing incident, the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, in yet another instance of keeping their age-old pahar-bhaiyam samparka (hills-plains relationship) alive, splendidly solved the petty differences amongst them paving the way for lifting of economic blockade called by Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) against Arunachal, especially West Siang district.This breakthrough was achieved during a ‘peace talk’ held between the representatives of agitating TMPK and Galo Welfare Society – the apex body of Arunachal’s Galo community along with Galo Students’ Union, at Silapathar in Dhemaji district on Sunday. The economic blockade as well as bandh against Arunachal Pradesh was given by TMPK in protest against the reported firing incident of November 3 at the border village, Pale, near Likabali in West Siang district of Arunachal. The peace meeting, which was also attended by the MLA of Silapathar, Bhuban Pegu, unanimously agreed to make “serious attempts” to resolve all outstanding issues, including boundary dispute, through such peaceful negotiations and coordination meetings between both community members, said Tomo Basar, general secretary of Galo Welfare Society. He further said a fact-finding committee, comprising representatives from both sides, will be visiting the affected areas later today to make an assessment of the matter and will submit report to their respective district administrations. They will have also another joint visit to the areas later this month to restore the sense of peace and harmony amongst the villagers inhabiting along the inter-State boundary.

TMPK lifts economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh

2008-11-12T01:43:00.000-08:00

Photo:Dilip Taid

A Mising Folk dance '' Gumrag" somewhere nearby a serene forest

New Dawn of Tani Brotherhood

The Arunachal Times,10 November,2008

ITANAGAR, Nov 09: The peace talk held between the delegates of Galo Welfare Society (GWS), Galo Students Union (GSU) and the TMPK, the student organization of Mishing community at Silapathar, Assam today succeeded to resolve the recent crisis generated out of the dispute at Pale Village of West Siang.
The peace meeting was also attended by Bhuban Pegu, MLA Silapathar.
It was resolved in the peace talks that a fact finding team comprising members from GWS and GSU and TMPK shall visit the place of incident tomorrow ( Nov 10) and after thorough assessment shall submit a report to the district administrations of West Siang and Dhemaji districts. After joint visit of place of incident TMPK will call off the band and lift economic blockade with effect from 9 am tomorrow.
Other resolutions adopted in the peace talks read: ‘After the election of GSU from Nov 18 to 22 next, the new committee of GSU and TMPK shall make joint visit to the affected villages on both the sides of the boundary and conduct peace restoring meetings for lasting peace.
‘Both the parties also agreed to make serious attempt to resolve all the outstanding issues including the boundary dispute between the two communities through peaceful negotiations and time to time coordination meetings between both the student organizations.
‘Both the sides expressed disappointment on the incident and condemned the inactiveness on the part of district administrations of West Siang and Dhemaji to tackle the situation and appealed for prompt legal action as per law on the involved people’, according to a GWS release

Peace talk with TMPK in Pasighat to defuse tension

2008-11-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

The Arunachal Times,November 08
PASIGHAT, Nov 07: To maintain peace, social harmony and tranquility, a ‘peace talk’ was held at Ruksin today between ABK (East Siang Unit) delegates and TMPK executive body members and its allied groups to find out an acceptable solution to defuse the tension raised due to Demou firing incident occurred on Nov 3 last.
In the meeting the TMPK consented to withdraw ban on “Bus and Sumo services” only and allowed to ply over NH-52A from Pasighat – Itanagar carrying candidates for interviews, students’ movement for unions/organizations, participants for Indigenous Youth Festival’08 and patients for medical treatments and left the final decision for permanent withdrawal of bandh to their central executive committee.
It was also resolved that both the TMPK and ABK with the supports of youths and students unions/ organizations jointly would urge the West Siang District Administration in particular and the Arunachal Pradesh Govt in general to immediately arrest the culprits, involved in the firing incident.
The president and general secretary (ABK East Siang district unit) alongwith president ABYK and secretary ABSU further urged the president TMPK Naresh Kumbang to withdraw economic blockage to bring normalcy for the larger interest of innocent people of Arunachal Pradesh and to arrange for a joint meeting with the Central Executive Body of TMPK at the earliest with the representatives of all three affected districts, East Siang, West Siang and Upper Siang for permanent peace settlement between Mishing and Aruna-chalees. Reports H K Roy, IPR

TMPK's economic-blockade continues,plea for normalcy

2008-11-08T01:32:00.000-08:00

The Assam Tribune,November 8,2008
Itanagar, Nov 7 – The Arunachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has urged the State Government to take up ‘time-bound measures’ for bringing back peace and tranquility in violence-hit Pale and Dimo villages of West Siang district bordering Assam’s Dhemaji district. Amid the lingering border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh that remains a major cause of concern for the people of both neighbouring States, things turned volatile recently after villagers from both States were involved in offensive acts over the past few days.The State BJYM along with its Kisan Morcha and West Siang district BJP, in a joint representation to the State chief secretary, urged upon the government to initiate ‘prompt’ and ‘concrete’ mechanism to find a solution to the issues of border disputes. BJYM president Chau Ambika Enling came down heavily on the Congress-ruled government in the State for allegedly keeping silence on the matter, and failing to formulate any time-bound policy in handling the issues of border dispute.The All Arunachal Pradesh Maxi Cab Association has expressed its torment over the recent dispute between the Assam-Arunachal villagers near Likabali which resulted in road blockade by an angry mob from Assam. The Association’s president Takar Goi appealed to the Assam Government, especially Dhemaji district administration to persuade the agitators not to harass their fellow Arunachali commuters traveling by the said route. He also appealed to the Governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to initiate necessary steps for settlement of ongoing dispute through dialogues to give peace a chance to prevail upon both sides of Assam-Arunachal border.

Mahi Chandra Miri:A Great Soul of Mising

2008-11-05T03:29:00.000-08:00

Photo:The Assam Tribune,Horizon,Nov 03, 2008

The Mising Tani People dedicates this page to the Great Soul of Mising people -Mahi Chandra Miri,the man who shaped world-famed Kaziranga National Park amidst great adversaries even at the cost of his life.Please read the following next article of this page to know more about this famous personality of the Mising Tanis.

The Man Behind the Kaziranga National Park:Mahi Chandra Miri

2008-11-05T03:16:00.000-08:00

By Ramani Kanta Deka,Horizon ,The Assam Tribune,Nov 03,2008

MAHI CHANDRA MIRI, whose appear-ance in the then dwindling Ka-ziranga game reserve gave it a new lease of life, was born in 1903 at village Alimur of Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur district. Mahi Miri’s father was Doley Miri, a leading man of his community. He was a disciple of Pitambar Dev Goswami of Garmur Satra of Majuli. Although he was uneducated, he encouraged his sons to pursue higher education.Mahi Miri was brought up in the midst of scenic beauty of nature that shaped his young mind. Tall and handsome, he loved outdoor sports like snake catching and different types of games that were in vogue in those days. Mahi Miri was admitted in Sivasagar Town Government HE School. A makeshift thatched cottage was built by his father on a plot of hired land at Sivasagar where Mahi spent his school days along with his younger brother. In 1923, he passed his matriculation exam with flying colours and got admitted in Cotton College, Guwahati. He stayed at Cotton Hindu Hostel 3rd Mess where he met Dr Hiranya Bhuyan, who went on to become the principal of Cotton College, late Harendra Nath Baruah, an illustrious journalist, Punyeswar Sarmah, former mouzadar of Japihugia of Sibsagar district, and many other illuminaries as his fellow boarders. Sarmah, now 103 years old, while recollecting his fond memory of his hostel days, told me that his senior hostel mate Mahi Miri possessed a commanding personality. So much so that junior boarders feared to walk beside his room. He was loved and respected by all the boarders. He was a good athlete and a tennis player. Legendary Prof PC Roy, who was a sportsman par excellence, loved Mahi and sometimes used to play with him in the tennis court between the fourth and the fifth block of the hostel.Besides being a brilliant student Mahi Miri was soft spoken, well disciplined and always regular in his studies. He passed BSc from Cotton College securing second class 14th position in Physics (honours) in 1927. This was indeed an academic achievement so to speak for Miri, since Calcutta University of those days included a vast geographical area including undivided Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.On January 4, 1929 Simon Commission visited Shillong. A memorandum was submitted to the commission by a deputation representing the interests of the depressed and the tribal communities of the province. Headed by Rai Saheb Sonadhar Senapati, the eight-member deputation included Nila Kanta Hazarika (father of Dr Bhupen Hazarika) and Mahi Chandra Miri, among others. Sonadhar Senapati was highly impressed with the personality of Miri who was a promising youth and ultimately became his eldest son-in-law in 1932.In 1929 Mahi Miri along with Madhab Bhattacharjee was selected for Imperial Forest Service and sent to Rangoon for training in the Forest College there. They were the first Assamese selected for covetous Imperial Forest Service. Of course, an ex-Cottonian Jyotirmoy Banerjee was enrolled in the Imperial Forest Service but he did not belong to Assam. After training at Rangoon, Mahi Miri was posted at Guwahati in 1931 as extra assistant conservator of forest.In 1932, Sonadhar Senapati’s eldest daughter Indira, who was then one of the handful of lady graduates of the depressed classes, was married to Mahi Chandra Miri in the face of serious social persecution. Such inter-caste marriage was unheard of in those days.Like his farmer father, Mahi Miri too was a great patron of learning and that was why he financially helped the poor and backward but promising Mising students with financial help so that they could pursue their studies in right earnest.Around 1934, Mahi Miri was transferred to Bagari range of the then Kaziranga game sanctuary with headquarter at Golaghat. Miri was entrusted with the challenging task of surveying and organizing the sanctuary. Immediately after his arrival, Mahi Miri made his temporary camp at Bagari, being a convenient place to look after the game sanctuary. AJ Milroy, a veteran British forester whose contribution for the preservation of Assam forest and its wealth was immense, was instrumental in deputing Miri to Kaziranga. Milroy is credited to have compiled a valuable book named Game Preservation in India: Assam, published by the Bombay Natural History Museum in 1934. It was Milroy who stopped the indiscriminate poaching of rhinos and elephants in Manas Reserve Forest in the 1930s by placing a platoon of Assam Rifles there. It was also Milroy who opened for the first time Kaziranga to visitors in 1938, when Mahi Miri was very much present in Kaziranga Reserve Forest. In this connection, I would like to mention the name of Englishman late EP Gee, a great naturalist. A Cambridge graduate, Gee joined Assam Tea Company as a manager in the early 1930s. His famous book Wild Life of India is accepted as a scholarly treatise on the fauna of India. It was Gee who introduced a scientific approach to wild animals. Both Miri and Gee appreciated each other so far as Kaziranga was concerned and both of them possessed scientific approach to the wild.When Mahi Miri joined Kaziranga it was “all swamp and leeches”. EP Gee wrote that even elephants would not venture there. Gee also mentioned that the sanctuary got a facelift due to the energetic leadership of Milroy and Mahi Miri. When Miri joined at Bagari the sanctuary was virtually inaccessible without any network of roads, etc. Miri’s presence in Kaziranga was a meteor-burst. He found dozens of empty makeshift thatched shelters of poachers scattered on the banks of the beels inside Kaziranga where poachers reigned supreme. Miri by virtue of his constant vigil and tremendous labour could put a check on poaching. He used to get up at dawn and then kept vigil on the sanctuary on elephant back to check poaching. He used to sit on top of a nearby hill of Karbi Anglong district equipped with binoculars and no sooner did he see poachers, he rushed on elephant back to catch them and sometimes at the risk of his own life. In the 1970s that hilltop was named after him as ‘Mahi Miri Tower’. Indira Miri, wife of Mahi Miri, once told me that when he served at Bagari range once his British DFO, who came from Jorhat, rudely behaved Miri for no fault of his. Since Miri was a man of honour and principle, he at once wrote his resignation letter and handed it over to the British DFO. The latter realized his fault and apologized to Miri. Chandra Phukan, the celebrated actor-dramatist and mouzadar of Kuthori mouza, who was also a wildlife lover was a close friend of Miri. Both of them were multifaceted men in their respective fields. The neighbouring villagers loved Miri for his helping hand in the hour of their need. He also helped the marooned people when the scourge of high flood was the annual feature.In those British days, the officers of the British Imperial Services were allowed to avail Furlough (long leave of absence on half pay). It was usually availed by those officers who served in inhospitable areas. But Miri refused to avail Furlough for the sake of his dear Kaziranga, come what may.Because of his inhuman labour in the inhospitable place like Kaziranga, he caught the dreaded black water fever and got treatment at Golaghat. But alas! Miri succumbed to the disease, leaving behind his young wife and three kids in 1939. In Mahi Miri’s death, conservator Makernes Sahab wrote: “We have lost the jewel of the forest department.” EP Gee’s appreciation of Miri was equally eloquent: “The man who put Kaziranga in the world map, I have talked to the forest officer, who was the first to be deputed to survey Kaziranga in the mid-thirties. He found poachers’ camp at every beel (small lake) and 40 carcasses of rhinos with horn removed... The first two years of Bagari were really tough for Miri. He used to get up at 3 am in morning and go to round the area to check poaching on elephant back... After the illegal shooting was brought under control to some extent, Miri shifted his HQ to Golaghat. For some time, he was posted as DFO at Jorhat. During this time Miri caught the first live rhino in Kaziranga and sent it to the USA. Towards the end of 1938, he came back to Golaghat and met with the premature death on July 29, 1939...”To quote the words of Sir Surendra Nath Banerjee, Miri was, “a man amongst men, a prince amongst his peers.” His life was a blighted genius, the fruition of which would have enriched the world of fauna. Indeed, a light is extinguished and a great voice is hushed into silence.

Tani Brotherhood rifts:4 Misings injured by Galo in Dimow

2008-11-05T03:04:00.000-08:00

The Assam Tribune,04 November,2008
SILAPATHAR, Nov 3 – Four persons of Dimow under Silapathar PS in Dhemaji district America Mili (25), son of Nageswar Mili, Saheb Panging (10), son of Muhi Panging, Baba Panging (25), son of Guleswar Panging and Silsilai Mili (22), son of Bidya Mili sustained serious injuries this afternoon when Arunachalis allegedly opened fire on Assam-Arunachal border. According to sources, the six youths of Assam were returning after bathing in Dimow river at noon, when they were attacked by 40-50 Arunachalis. The sources also added that land dispute problems of Assam-Arunachal are the main cause behind the incident.People of Assam and Arunachal both claimed as their own land although the land is on the map of Sissi revenue block of Assam. Situation is tense in the area even as the culprits have been identified as Marto Nuri, Goa Riba, Tayor Bam and Ibam Riba of Pale Basti of Arunachal Pradesh.Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) has declared economic blockade in Dhemaji district for an indefinite period. General secretary of TMPK, Johan Doley said that due to the negligent attitude of Assam-Arunachal authorities such incidents have been occuring in the area. He also said his organisation has been demanding solution to the border dispute, but authorities has not taken measures in this regard. He also demanded seizure of the guns of Arunachalis and arrest of the culprits as early as possible, failing which the organisation will resort to agitation.Dimow Regional Students Union has also condemned the incident and criticised the district authority’s negligence towards problems although the disputed land has been declared as under Section 144 IPC.
Ngok Mé:lod: The land dispute row between Mising and Galos shouldn't be given a political colour by either side since Mising-Galo are kin to each other.The problem should be solved through discussion among both the Tani people.No side should cross the limit.

AAPSU opposes Autonomous Council demand

2008-11-05T02:55:00.000-08:00

ITANAGAR, Nov 3 – Hundreds of people including students today took out a procession here under the banner of All Arunachal Pradesh students union (AAPSU) to protest against demands for creation of autonomous councils in some parts of the State.Shouting slogans against the demand for creation of Mon autonomous council comprising Tawang and West Kameng district on the Sino-India border and Patkai autonomous council in Changlang district on Myanmar border, they covered a few kms from Aakashdeep market to the Raj Bhavan.In a statement AAPSU described the move as an attempt to divide the State and said the students body has always strived for unity among different tribes in the State. – PTI