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TIWA AUTONOMY MOVEMENT
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This
research work is intends to study the Tiwa movement for self-identity in Assam
and the reaction of the State Government towards the issue. The Tiwa people started
their movement with the objective of preserving their identity against the
dominant Non-tribal communities in Assam. It is seen that the tribal Belt or
Blocks failed to protect the land of the Tribal people. The non-tribal people had
deteriorated the economy of the tribal people in various ways. The Govt. had
completely failed to protect the identity of the tribal people. Since 1967, the
Tiwa people became politically organized in their efforts to protect their
Socio-Cultural and land rights. Regarding the works on the Tiwa movement of autonomy
issue we have less number of book and Journals. However, regarding the growth
of Political consciousness among the Tiwa tribe Dr. Ramesh Chandra Nath of
Jagiroad College had studied the causes for the growth of Political
Consciousness among the Tiwa People in his book 'Growth and Development of
Political Consciousness among the Tiwas of Assam in the post-Independence
Period'. Besides this A. K. Baruah in his book 'The Lalung Society' has
written on the Socio-Cultural and economic conditions of the Tiwa people of
Assam. On the other hand G.C. Sharmah Thakur in his works 'The Lalungs
(Tiwa)' has given importance on the socio-cultural conditions of the Tiwa
People. Mr. Balairam Senapati in his 'Atitar Sandhanat' has also
highlighted on Tiwa nationalism and their cultural aspect. Prof. Mileswar Patar
has written several works on the socio-cultural and political condition of the
Tiwa people. But there is no works that discuss in details the Tiwa Movement
for self-identity in the post-colonial Assam. So, the study on Tiwa autonomy movement
will help the researcher to understand and Analize the causes of the Tiwa
autonomy movement and the response of the state government of Assam on the
problem.
The
present study will highlight the factors of Tiwa autonomy movement and the
activities of various Tiwa organizations for the cause of Tiwa autonomy. It is
necessary to study the topic of Tiwa movement as it will bring to light the
factors, organizations of the Tiwas and reaction of state government on the
problem. In keeping with this purpose this paper has been written so that
people will know the Tiwa movement and impact in the socio political aspect of
Assam. It will also help to know the socio political conditions of the Tiwa
tribe. The ethnic movement launched by various organizations in Assam has
created many complicated problems to the government and people of the state
have to suffer a lot. An amicable solution of the problem is the need of the
hour. For this purpose, it is very important to know the problem of Tiwas of
Assam and an attempt has been made in this paper to study the Tiwa autonomy
movement in the region.
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Sketch Of Tiwa King "Jongal Balahu Khidri"
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The
Tiwas are one of the aboriginal tribes of North-East India. They are also known
as the "Lalung", but they preferred to call themselves as the
"Tiwa". They are one of the major ethnic tribes in Assam. The people
of the Tiwa Community are mostly living in Asssam and Meghalaya, particularly in
the Nagaon, Morigaon, Karbi Anglong, Dhemaji, Kamrup district of Assam and the
Khasi and the Jayantia district of Meghalaya. The Tiwas of Assam have been
enlisted as a scheduled tribes but a section of them resides in the hill areas
also. They have their own language, culture and traditions distinct from other
tribes of North-East India. But due to undue pressure of the non-tribals their
culture and the identity of the community is now at stake. The Tiwas have remained
backward in all spheres of social life.
During
the time of the Ahoms there were several smaller independent kingdoms of
indigenous people in the south bank of Brahmaputra. The smaller kingdoms like
the Nelly, Gova, Topakuchi, Mayang, Dhing, Tetelia, Rani, Dimoria and Beltola
etc., were independent. But the rulers of these states had to pay taxes to the
Ahom king. Their relation among themselves was not cordial and to save themselves
from the invasion of the Jayantia, the king of Dimoria and Kachari king made
relation with Ahom king Pratap Singh by giving their daughters in marriage in
1627. The Lalung king of Gova though initially was under the dominion of the
Jayantia king later shifted his allegiance to the Ahom kings.
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Statue Of Tiwa King "Mohan Phador Khidri"
(West-Karbi Anglong)
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Though
the Tiwa people came under the control of the British power, but they acted
against the British imperialism and prepared for the revolt against the British
Government. They in 1861, revolted against the British imperialism which is
popularly known as "Phulaguri Dhawa". The Phulaguri Uprising of 1861
was the first agrarian revolt in Assam against the British Raj. In 1860 the British
government banned the cultivation of opium. In Nagaon district rumours
circulated that the government was planning to impose tax on their houses,
barees (garden) and pan (betel leaf) cultivation. So, the Tiwas of Phulaguri
protested through their mels against imposition of the new taxes. In September,
1861, some 1500 strong peasants marched to the district headquarter and demonstrated
before the magistrate against the proposed new taxes. When the magistrate
showed no sign of withdrawing the proposed taxes a Raj mel was held in
October 1861 to discuss the matter. About this time the government introduced
license tax. This sharpened the belief of the villagers, particularly of the
tribals of Phulaguri, on the impending taxes. Therefore, on 14th October, 1861,
the riot’s of Phulaguri revolted against the authority and in the
ensuing clash with the police one English Officer, Lt. Singer, lost his life. This
incident followed brutal suppression of the uprising by the military forces in
which eight tribal leaders belonging to the Tiwa community were arrested and
while some of them were sentenced to death.
In
the freedom struggle against the British Government, the Tribal people of Assam
played a significant role. The Tiwa people had joined the "Tribal
League" which was formed in 1933 and actively participated in the freedom
movement. The active participation of the Tiwa people of Assam in the freedom
movement was seen in the Quit India Movement in 1942. The Tiwas of Raha,
Bebejia, Barapujia, Kampur and Jamunamukh have participated in large numbers
during the movement. Despite the police harassment they continued their
struggle. Till September, 1942 four Tiwas died in the ensuing struggle: Kolai
Koch, Hemoram Patar, Gunabhiram Bordoloi and Tilak Deka. On 25th August
1942, people of Kampur took out procession defying the prohibitory orders. The
crowd attacked and damaged the local post office, the Circle Office and the
Railway Station. The furious people derailed a train at Kampur followed by
military atrocities upon the village At Phulaguri the crowd damaged railway
station. The people of Kathiatali destroyed an inspection bungalow. At Raha Government
Circle Office was burnt down. In Jongal balahu garh village, near Raha, people
became panicky over a rumour that more police forces would be coming to Nagaon
from Guwahati. A group of people, apprehending police raid, started to cut the
approach road to a bridge, suddenly a military patrol party appeared from the
eastern side and opened fire on them killing Hemoram Patar and Gunabhiram Bordoloi
belonging to Tiwa Community. On 28th August the police conducted raids upon Raha,
Bebejia and Barapujia. Tilak Luka, who was a volunteer of the 'Santi Sena', was
shot dead. Another Tiwa freedom fighter Kolai Koch (Originally Tiwa but converted
to Koch) also sacrificed his life. The active participation of Tiwa people in
the freedom movement led to the arrest of several people besides innumerable
forms of police torture.
The
development of social consciousness among the tribal people realized them about
their self-identity in the society. The Tribal League in 1947 submitted a memorandum
before the constituent Assembly demanding the creation of separate scheduled
areas in the plains district of Assam under fifth schedule of Indian Constitution.
When
Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills autonomous district was formed in 1951,
there was a controversy about the Tiwa dominated areas of the hills whether it
could be included with Mikir Hills or to remain with Jayantia Hills. In that time,
Abra Malang of Ulukunchi demanded a separate autonomous district for the Tiwas
of Assam for the first time. Abra Malang organized a movement among the hills
Tiwas with less followers. He can be say as the father of Tiwa movement for
autonomy. Mr. Larshing Khyrim supported the demand of Abra Malang. But his
movement was suppressed with cruelty and he was imprisoned for four year and
the Government has also seized his property. Then Mr. Bonnily Khongman, the
first M.P. from that areas, manipulating the population structure of Tiwa on
paper and showed less Tiwa population and more Karbi population by submitting
bogus data to the Mikir Hills boundary Commission and accordingly the
Commission recommended that they could be included with the Mikir Hills.
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Tiwa Freedom Fighter "Late. Indrosing Dewri"
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The
language policy of the Assam Government which made Assamese compulsory brought
the sense of feeling of insecurity among the tribal leaders in Assam. The Tiwa
people of Assam also felt that their language and culture is in at stake. They
wanted to preserve their own ethnic identity. During that time a dynamic youth
Mr. Indrosing Dewri while he was in government job in Garo Hills left his job
and came back to his native village and organized some educated Tiwas. A
meeting of the Tiwa community was conveyed at Umsuai of Mikir hills. Ananda Ram
Deuri of Jagiroad and many others of Nellie delivered lecture in that meeting.
They had spoken that the imprisonment of Abra Malang and confiscation of his
property was the humiliation for entire Tiwa Community. The meeting took many
resolutions and formed 'Lalung Darbar' as the political organization of the
Tiwa people in 1967. Late Abra Malang was the first president of the 'Lalung
Darbar' though he died soon. Regarding the death of Abra Malang it is said that
he was tortured physically in jail for which his health deteriorated later on.
After his death Hemaram Bordoloi and Indrosing Dewri took the leadership of the
organization.
The
main aim of 'Lalung Darbar' was to demand for the creation of 'Lalung Hill
Autonomous District', taking the Tiwa dominated areas of Mikir Hills, Nagoan and
Kamrup district of Assam and the Tiwa inhabited areas of Jayantia Hills. Since
then, the 'Lalung Darbar' had organised several public meetings among the Tiwa
people. The "Lalung Darbar" sent a telegram to the Home Minister of
the Govt. of India on 8th July, 1967, demanding for the creation of Lalung Autonomous
Hill Sub-division with separate council. But the government did not respond to
this demand and on 19th May, 1968 a general meeting was held at Nellie under
the president ship of Mr. Gambhir Bordoloi and adopted some resolutions. In the
resolution No.5, it was stated that the Tiwa people supported the creation of Lalung
Hill Autonomous Sub-Division and urged the central as well as the state
government to take necessary step. When the government did not respond another
telegram was sent to the Home Minister of India on 20th June, 1968 demanding to
create an autonomous Hill Sub division.
Again
on 24th July 1968, a public meeting was held at Chahari, Amsoi under the
president ship of Madan Konwar and strengthened their demand for autonomous
Hill Sub division. On 15th and 16th October 1969, the two days
convention was held at Makangkuchi L.P. School, Jagiroad and was presided over
by the Ex M.L.A. Baliram Das. The convention took the resolution that the Tiwa
people unanimously supported the "Lalung Autonomous Hill District"
instead of "Hill Sub division" and urged the Central and State
government to create Lalung Autonomous Hill District and to take necessary steps
to implement the demand.
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Tiwa Freedom Fighter "Late. Bin Maslai"
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On
15th July, 1970, a delegation of Tiwa people consisting of 9 persons namely
Indrosing Dewri, Raiman Patar, Bin Maslai, Narayan Kumar Kakoti, Thal Amsong,
Minaram Patar, Butbar kharai, Madan Deka and Parshing Roma meet the then
Governor of Assam, B.K. Nehru at Raj Bhawan, Shillong and submitted a
memorandum to create "Lalung Autonomous Hill District" and urged to take
necessary step for that. This delegation also met the chief minister of
Meghalaya Mr. William Changma and the Health Minister of Assam Mr. Chatrashing
Teron and requested them to create the Lalung Autonomous Hill District.
The
Tiwa people became gradually conscious of their ethnic identity. They started
articulating their identity to gain political power and overcome their socio-economic
backwardness. After formation of Lalung Darbar in 1967, the Tiwa people tried
to organize themselves in different fronts. The Tiwa leaders realized that
without co-operations of different sections of Tiwa people, it would not be
possible to run their movement. But in 1971, a difference of opinion arose
between the hills Tiwas and the plains Tiwas. In that time Mr. Giridhar Patar,
as young educated Tiwa with his friends Mr Budhiram Bordoloi and Khirod Patar
organized a convention to form ‘Tiwa (Lalung) Yuva Chatra Sanmilon’. After
discussing the matter they convened a public meeting at Barapujia in 1971.
In
around 1971 the Tiwas were divided into two groups- Hills Tiwas and Plains
Tiwas. Budhiram Bordoloi and Giridhar Patar both president and Secretary of the
Tiwa Yuva Chatra Sanmilon tried to bring unity among the Tiwa people of both
hills and plains. They tried to make the people understand that the split
between the hills Tiwas and plains Tiwas was only due to misunderstanding. So,
for the unification of hills and plains Tiwa they convened a public meeting at
Shahari village, Amsoi in 1977 in that meeting they changed the name of Tiwa
Yuva Chatra Sanmilon and renamed as "All Assam Tiwa Sanmilan" with
the Tiwas. This organization worked for the unification of all the Tiwa people
and asked them to maintain their cultural identity. They wanted to revive the
lost culture of the Tiwa people.
In
1977, the "Lalung Darbar Youth Frony" was formed in a special
convention which was held under the banner of Lalung Darbar. This LDYF was the
youth wing of the Lalung Darbar. The first president and Secretary of this
organization was Rabatsingh Deuri and Mukunda Bordoloi respectively. This youth
front also demanded the creation of Lalung Hill Autonomous District. At the 9th
general conferences of Lalung Darbar held at Umsuai, 1978, there was great
debate regarding the agitation programme. Majority members of the Lalung Darbar
did not agree for agitation but the youth wing was in favour of agitation to
achieve its goal. Due to this controversy, it came out from the Darbar to
establish its own identity. In 1980, it was re-organised and changed its name
as "Lalung Youth Front". Tulsi Bordoloi an educated Tiwa Youth of
Jagiroad was elected as secretary respectively. Later on both the organisation
united and on 24th June, 1983, the Lalung Darbar and Lalung Youth Front jointly
submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi for
the creation of the Lalung Autonomous Hill District.
When
the Assam movement was started in 1979, majority of the Tribal people
participated in the movement against deporting the foreigners. The Tiwa people of
Nagaon and Morigaon actively participated in the Assam movement. The Tiwa
people of west part of Nagaon played active role in Neilly's violence. When the
Assam Accord was signed in 1985 the Tiwa people were dis-satisfied over the
article 10 of the Assam Accord which emphasized on the eviction of tribal
people from forest land. From that time they became conscious for their
self-determination.
On
30th October 1985, the Lalung Youth Front tried to co-ordinate all Tiwa people
and all Tiwa organization into one common platform and held a public meeting at
Jagiroad. In that meeting the Tiwa people formed the "Autonomous Lalung
District Demand Committee" (ALDDC) as Giridhar Patar and Narayan Radu
Kakati as president and secretary respectively. The main aim of this organization
was to gain autonomy. The leaders of the organization decided that as majority
of the Tiwa people are living in plains and so they would change their views
and decided to demand the Autonomous Lalung District instead of Autonomous
Lalung Hills District. From that time
the ALDDC has submitted several memorandum to the central and state government
to formed Autonomous Lalung District. They demanded to include part of Karbi
Anglong, Nagaon and Kamrup district to the proposed Lalung Autonomous District.
But significantly the ALDDC did not include any part of Khasi and Jayantia
hills of Meghalaya which was formally demanded by the Darbar.
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ALL TIWA STUDENTS UNION (ATSU) AND
TIWA MATHONLAI TOKHRA (TMT)
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The
Tiwa students and Lalung people realized that the main struggling fronts of the
Tiwa people are becoming inactive. They failed to place the demand strongly in
front of the central as well as state government. So, on 25th February 1989,
the "All Tiwa Student Union" (ATSU) was formed with broad out look at
the Tribal Rest House, Nagaon. The birth of ATSU was the result of the failure of
ALDDC (Autonomous Lalung District Demand Committee) in fulfilling the
aspirations of the Tiwa people. From its beginning this organization was very
active and this organization succeeded in arousing the feelings of nationalism
among the Tiwa people. The first conference of the ATSU was held on 16th and
17th March, 1990 at Raha. Madan Bordoloi and Hemakanta Deuri was the first president
and secretary of the student organisation. In the first conference the ATSU
demanded the creation of an autonomous district to preserve the socio-economic
and political rights of the Tiwas. The conference adopted a resolution to
launched a mass of the constitution be upgraded granting more legislative,
administrative and financial powers by the amendment of the constitution. They
submitted a memorandum to the cultural and state government demanding the
creation of a separate Tiwa autonomous district under the provision of the
sixth schedule of Indian Constitution. But the Govt. did not respond to the
call given by ATSU and so the ATSU launched several agitation programmes to
strengthen their demand.
Though
the Autonomous Lalung District Demand Committee, All Tiwa Student Union, All Tiwa
Woman Association, the Lalung Youth Front (LYF), Tiwa Sanmilon had submitted
several memorandums to the Central and State Government, but there was no
reaction till July, 1992. On 13th September, 1992 the ATSU had
organized a special convention at Jagiroad College premises to discuss the
autonomy problem. The convention resolved to continue the agitation until the
autonomy demand was fulfilled. From that time the ATSU organized group
meetings, Conventions and public meetings at different places of Morigaon,
Nagaon and Sonapur area of Kamrup district on 11th March, 1993, the chief
Minister of Assam Mr. Hiteswar Saikia announced in the public meeting at Lakwa
of Dibrugarh district, that Government was considering to grant autonomy to the
Misings, Rabhas and Tiwas. For that
announcement the leaders of Autonomous Lalung District Demad Committee (ALDDC) became
very happy and met the Chief Minister at Janata Bhavan on 10th May, 1993 and
requested to create an autonomous Tiwa district. The delegation of ALDDC was
led by Giridhar Patar and Narayan Radu Kakati both president and secretary
respectively.
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ALL TIWA WOMEN ASSOCIATION (ATWA)
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Gradually
the ATSU had noticed that the leaders of the ALDDC were going away from the link
of ATSU. The leaders of ATSU surprised that the Government had maintaining
close contact with the leaders of ALDDC. So, on 30th August, 1993 the ATSU and
ATWA convened a press meeting at ASEB Guest House, Jagiroad and chalked out new
agitations programmes. They protested the Government action for dividing the
Tiwa people and asked the Government to grant autonomy to the Tiwa people
immediately. They alleged that the Chief Minister was playing his own game in
the name of autonomy among the different tribes of Assam. They demanded to stop
the cavalier attitude of the Government towards the Tiwa people.
When
the Tiwa movement was going on in full swing, the Government of Assam responded
to the demand of the Tiwa community. Accordingly, the Govt. of Assam invited
the leaders of ALDDC and ATSU to discuss the autonomy problem on 10th December,
1993. On that day the Govt. of Assam constituted an Autonomy Committee under
the Chairmanship of Mukut Sarmah, the Revenue Minister of Assam. The other
members were Mr. Gomeswar Pegu, Minister of State for Tribal Welfare and Backward
classes, Mr. Jatin Hazarika, adviser to the Chief Minister, T.L. Baruah, the
Commissioner of Home and Political affairs and the special Secretary to the
Chief Minister. On the other hand three different committees were also
constituted for Mising, Rabha and Tiwas on that same day.
The
Government had also forwarded a draft proposal to all the autonomy demand
committee regarding the problem of autonomy. Following this a meeting was held
on 14th and 15th December, 1993 at Janata Bhavan, Dispur between Autonomy
Committees and the Govt. of Assam. They discussed regarding the modalities
concerning the final draft. The Chief Minister was himself present on 15th
December. The ATSU objected to some points of the Govt. draft proposal as there
was no fix boundary where they would implement the powers of the council. The
ATSU demanded greater autonomy and powers for the Tiwa autonomous council. But
the ALDDC did not object and accepted the Government proposal.
Another
round of discussion was held on 22nd December, 1993 at Janata Bhavan between
five member delegation of ATSU headed by Bhupen Kholar and Rimal Amsi and State
Government represented by Mukut Sarma and Gomeswar Pegu. Govt. had assured to
consider the demands of ATSU for greater autonomy.
On
the other hand the ALDDC had submitted a ‘Model’ of autonomous council on 15th
December with some modifications of their previous demands. Again discussion
was held on 30th December, 1993 between autonomy Committee of the
govt. and ALDDC and ATSU. On that day ATSU submitted a memorandum to the
Chairman of autonomy Committee with a new type of proposal for granting
autonomy. In that memorandum they
clearly expressed their position and reached out some consensus regarding the
Govt. proposal. They demanded autonomy like the Bodoland type autonomous
council. ATSU had completely rejected the Govt. draft proposal regarding the
creation of Tiwa Autonomous Council.
On
4th March, 1994, another round of discussion was held between the Govt. of
Assam and ATSU. But no solution was arrived regarding the final draft of the
proposed Tiwa Autonomous Council. On the occasion of Independence Day on 15th
August, 1994, after hoisting the National Flag at Judge Field, the Chief
Minister Mr. Hiteswar Saikia publicly announced that after discussing with the
Central Govt. the State Govt. would grant autonomy to the Mishing, Rabhas and
Tiwas according to the recommendation of the three man expert committee led by
Bhupinder Singh.
The
ALDDC though submitted a memorandum for some modification of the Tiwa Autonomous
Council but agreed to accept the Government proposal. The ATSU criticized the
ALDDC for their division to accept the Govt. proposal without a fixed boundary.
The Government was also interested with their supporting groups to grant
autonomy in their hands. The Government had signed the Rabha Accord on 16th
March, 1995 and then invited the ALDDC to sign the Tiwa Accord. But interestingly
ATSU was not invited. On 13th April at about 9.00 A.M. Mr. Mukut Sarmah, the Chairman
of autonomy Committee called the ATSU leaders over phone through Deputy Commissioner
of Morigaon District. But ATSU did not accept such invitation. Because Govt.
had no any clarification regarding the proposed autonomous council with fix
boundary. So, they requested Mr. Mukut Sarmah to postpone that day. But the
Government didi not give importance to the ATSU and on 13th April, 1995 the
State Government had signed the Tiwa Accord with the leaders of ALDDC at about
1 P.M. From the Govt. side Mr. Arunodoy Bhattacharjee, the Chief Secretary of
Assam signed in presence of Chief Minister Mr. Hiteswar Saikia and all the members
of autonomy committee. From the ALDDC the Tiwa Accord was signed by Sridam
Deuri (President, ALDDC), Narayan Rudu Kakoti (Secretary, ALDDC), Giridhar Pata
(Legal Adviser), Madiram Deuri and Kapana Patar.
In
the accord signed on 14th April, 1995, the most important fact is that it did
not mention the areas to be included in Tiwa Autonomous Council. According to
the accord, there will be an Apex Council of the Tiwa Autonomous Council
consisting of satellite areas of the village council called Lalung (Tiwa)
Village Council (LVC). There will be no boundary of the proposed council. The Apex
council will consist of 144 villages of Nagaon, Morigaon and Kamrup with 28
blocks. The ALDDC had demanded 174 villages.
The
Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) will consist of 30 elected members out of which 4
will be nominated by the Government to give representation to the people of
other community. Out of these 30 seats, 15 will be reserved for the Tiwa
Community and 3 seats will b reserved for women.
Each
village council will consists of 10 elected members out of whom 5 will be from
Tiwa Community, out of 5 reserved seats one will be reserved constituency will
be ex-officers members. There will be an elected president and a Vice –
President. The term of office of Tiwa Autonomous Council and Village Council
will be for 5 years.
Moreover
the signing of the Tiwa accord was strongly protested by the ATSU, ATWA and Lalung
Youth Front. The general people also did not support the attitude of the ALDDC
for signing an accord where there was no fix boundary of the Tiwa Autonomous
Council. They alleged that the leaders of the ALDDC were more opportunists and
as they had no mass support of the Tiwas, they had no right in signing the Tiwa
Accord. The ATSU protested against the action of ALDDC and asked the Govt. of
Assam to cancel the Tiwa Accord. When the leader of ALDDC arrived after signing
the accord at Jagiroad, they were gheraud,
humiliated with strong unbearable words and the mob insulted them. The mob
threw stones and bricks at them. But the officer in charge of Jagiroad Police
Station controlled the situation.
Already
the interim council was formed by the Government of Assam on line of Rabhas and
Misings by an ordinance, namely, “Lalung (Tiwa) Autonomous Council”, ordinance,
1995 effective from July 27th 1995 vied notification no. – AAD/ST/ 276/ 94- 95
and the Councils is expected to look after the additional duties of the village
Councils till the same are constituted under the aforesaid ordinance.
Accordingly,
28 members interim Tiwa Autonomous Council under the leadership of Mr. Narayan
Radu Kakoti was sworn in by the Upper Assam Commissioner Mr. Bhaskar Mushahari
at a function at Nellie Pujathali on 27th July, 1995.26 The members of the TAC
who took oath were Narayan Radu Kakoti as Chief Executive Councilor, Kamal
Patar, Basistha muni Rumdu and Panindra Bordoloi as executive councilors. The
other general members were Madiram Deuri, Puheswar Bordoloi, Shashi Bordoloi,
Ruhit Deuri, Budheswar Konwar etc. The Chief Minister Mr. Hiteswar Saikia, the
Education Minister Mr. Mukut Sarmah, the Minister of Plain Tribes Mr. Gomeswar
Pegu, the Chief Executive Member of Boroland Autonomous Council Mr. Premsingh
Brahma, the Chief Executive Member of Rabha Autonomous Council Mr. Sabyashashi
Rabha and the CEM of Mising Autonomous Council Mr. Lakshmionath Panging were
attended the oath ceremony.
Conclusion:
From
the study on the issue of Tiwa autonomy movement it is clear to us that there
were various factors for this movement. The issue of land alienation of Tiwas,
the desire to preserved ethnic identity with their language and culture, the
growth of socio political organizations in the post-colonial period, the
language policy of Assam government, backwardness in almost all spheres of
life, impact of other tribal autonomy movement in North East India, growth of
socio political consciousness etc. were the factors for the Tiwa autonomy
movement. The past history of the Tiwas encouraged the Tiwa people to demand an
autonomous Tiwa district in Assam. The activities of Lalung Darbar increased
the political consciousness of the Tiwas. It was the ATSU that transformed the
movement to a mass movement of Tiwa people. Though the state government had
created Tiwa Autonomous Council in 1995, but it did not end the movement of the
Tiwas. During the course of negotiations with the Tiwa organizations the
government had favoured those organizations which had close touch with the
ruling Congress party.
The
Tiwa people started their movement with the objective of preserving their
identity against the dominant non-tribal communities in Assam. Land alienation
was central to their movement. It is seen that the Tribal Belt or Blocks failed
to protect the land of the tribal people. The non-tribal people had
deteriorated the economy of the tribal people in various ways. Most of the Tiwa
people of Sonapur, Jagiroad, Morigaon and West part of Nagaon lost their lands
in their own villages for the lack of Protection within the existing belts and
blocks.27 The Govt. had completely failed to protect the identity of the tribal
people. Since 1971 the Tiwas become politically organized in their efforts to
protect their socio-cultural and land rights. Their movements under the aegis
of various tribal organizations have earned them Tiwa Autonomous Council under
Tiwa Accord in 1995 without any territorial demarcation. Although the ALDDC
accepted the Accord it was strongly opposed by other Tiwa organizations like
ATSU, ATWA and LYF. Central to the opposition of the Accord to these
organizations was its borderless nature based mainly on tribal council. Besides
under this Council many Tiwa villages were left out. It was demanded that Tiwa
community should have all the belts, blocks, forests and tribal sub-plan
villages under the autonomous council. The Accord was rather considered by the
people to be a political game of the government to deceive the Tiwas as was
similarly done in the cases of the other tribes like the Misings, the Rabhas
and the Bodos.
Notes and References
*S.K.
Bhuyan, ‘Asom Buranji’, Guwahati, 1965, p.38.
*K.N.
Dutta, ‘Landmark of Freedom Struggle in Assam’, reprint, Guwahati, 1993,
p.14.
*A.
Guha, ‘Planter Raj to Swaraj Freedom Struggle and Electoral Politics in
Assam 1826-1947’, p.5
*Rimal
Amsi, ‘Tiwa Songe Thalar’, Morigaon, 2013, p. 112.
*R.
Bordoloi, ‘Quit India Movement in Assam with special reference to Nagaon
District’, Lanka, 2007, p. 61.
*R.C.
Nath, ‘Growth and Development of Political Consciousness among Tiwa
Community of Assam in the post-Independence period’, Jagiroad, 1996, p.7.
*N.
Radu Kakati, (ed.) ‘Smriti Grantha’, Morigaon, 1997, p. 1.
*Radu
Kakati, Op.cit, p. 2.
*Interview
with Narayan Radu Kakati, first Chief Executive Member of Tiwa Autonomous Council
on 4th October, 2014 at his own residence, Nellie.
*G.
Senapati, (ed.) ‘Ring-Chhang’, in his Editorial Column, Jagiroad, 2004.
*D.C.
Kalita, and H. Sharmah, (ed.) ‘The Tiwa
(Lalungs): Profile of a Tribe’, published by Morigaon College, Morigaon,
2010, p.227.
*Radu
Kakati, Op.cit, p.10.
*S.
Amsi, ‘Bartaman Parjayat Tiwa Jatiya Sangram–Ak Parjalusana’ in Bhupesh
Darphang, (ed.) ‘Sheran’, a souvenir of ATSU, Nagaon, 2001, p.11.
*Rimal
Amsi, Op.cit, p, 33.
*Radu
Kakti, Op.cit, p. 12.
*Interview
with Mr. Sidam Deuri, Ex-CEM oof Tiwa Autonomous Council, Bangthai gaon, Jagiroad
on 4th October, 2014.
*The
Assam Gazette (Extraordinary), 13th April, 1995.
*The
Sentinel, a daily newspaper published from Guwahati, 14th April, 1995.
*Information
By: “Rabindra Bordoloi”,
-Department
of History,
-N.N.
Saikia College,
-Titabar,
Jorhat, Assam India’
**INFORMATION COLLECTED BY: JYOTISHMAN DEKARAJA.
