Tribal voices unite in Assam's Margherita, renew demand for Tirap autonomous council

Representatives of eight indigenous communities of Assam brought down the curtain on a four-day cultural workshop in Margherita under Tinsukia district, reaffirming their collective identity while renewing long-standing demands for greater autonomy and equitable development. 

 

The workshop, held from February 23 to 26 across the districts of Tinsukia, Charaideo, Golaghat and Lakhimpur, concluded on Saturday at the Prasanna Turung Tribal Rest House in Margherita. The initiative was organised by the Singpho, Sema, Tangsa and Man Tai Speaking Development Council in collaboration with Natunnata NGO under the Directorate of Tribal Affairs (Plains), Government of Assam.

 

The programme brought together members of the Singpho, Tangsa, Sema, Tai Phake, Tai Khamti, Tai Aiton, Tai Turung and Tai Khamyang communities, reflecting a rare platform of unity among diverse ethnic groups of Upper Assam. The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of prominent community leaders and representatives from tribal organisations across four districts.

 

Among those in attendance were Bisa King Dua Mung Dung Gam Singpho, Govinda Kumbang, Treasury Officer of Margherita, Yatra Shyam Turung, President of the All Assam Tai Turung Council, Sengram Lebram, President of the Singpho National Council, Nabo Kutum, Research Assistant, Welfare of Plain Tribes, Government of Assam, Manje La, Chairman of the Singpho Sema Tangsa and Man Tai Speaking Development Council, Chow Pradip Manche, President of the Tai Khamti Students’ Union, Nayung Mossang, President of the All Assam Tangsa Students’ Union, Nongpion Gungi, President of the Pan Singpho Students’ Union, and Pallab Shyam Wailung, General Secretary of the Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee, among several other distinguished personalities.

 

The event was marked by captivating performances of traditional dances and songs by participating communities, drawing applause from attendees and reinforcing the rich cultural mosaic of Assam’s plains tribes.

 

However, the cultural celebration was accompanied by strong remarks on developmental and constitutional issues. Addressing the gathering, Pallab Shyam Wailung stated that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi under the Congress government, Rs 3 crore had been allocated to the Singpho, Sema, Tangsa and Man Tai Speaking Development Council. In contrast, he said that under the current Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam, the council had received Rs 33 lakh for development works.

 

Wailung further highlighted that there are 87 tribal villages under the 83rd Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency in Tinsukia district, yet, according to him, comprehensive development has not materialised in these areas. He demanded that the region be declared a “compacted area” under Article 244(2) of the Constitution, similar to autonomous arrangements in districts such as Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong, as well as the Bodoland Territorial Region.

 

Reiterating a long-pending demand, Wailung said the call for a Tirap Autonomous Council has remained unresolved since 1995. “We have not achieved it yet, but our fight will continue,” he asserted, drawing support from sections of the gathering.