Karbi Anglong marks 74th foundation day with vibrant cultural spirit

DIPHU — The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) celebrated 74th Karbi Anglong Day at Taralangso on Monday with vibrant cultural spirit and deep reverence for the region’s historic journey.

The celebration honoured the sacrifices and struggles of past leaders while showcasing the remarkable progress and development witnessed over the decades.

The celebration began with the ceremonial flag hoisting in front of the Sertalin Auditorium by chief guest Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, CEM of KAAC, followed by garlanding of portraits of past leaders who laid the foundation for autonomy and development in Karbi Anglong.

Past leaders like Sarsing Teron (Langkung Habe) and Semson Sing Ingti, the founder president and secretary, respectively, of erstwhile Karbi Adorbar, and several other leaders were honoured.

An open session discussed the contributions and sacrifices of past leaders in shaping the current Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts, as well as the establishment of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC).

Principal Secretary of KAAC, Mukul Kr. Saikia, delivered the welcome address, presenting the historical journey from the formation of the Mikir Hills District Council in 1951 to the present-day KAAC and its contributions to governance, identity, and development.

He also stated that the KAAC with its present dedicated officials and staff is working effortlessly to take development to the people.

In his address, the CEM shared that Karbi Anglong Day marks the moment in history when the Mikir Hills district was officially created on November 17, 1951, giving the Karbi people, for the first time in many centuries, a chance to live under a single administration.

“The truth is that the Karbi hills were once a single, homogenous region, inhabited by our people across the central ranges of the Northeast. But over centuries, due to forced occupation by neighbouring powers, wars, and administrative divisions, the Karbi people were separated politically,” Dr. Ronghang said.

The Karbis were under the Ahoms at certain times, under the Kacharis, under the Nagas, and under the Jaintia Kingdom-not by choice, but by circumstance, he added.

He stated that the Amri, Chinthong, and Rongkhang areas came under the Jaintia Raja only because of occupation. Yet, even in those times, the Karbis preserved their culture, traditions, and systems of self-governance.

When the British came, they found Karbis spread across a wide region from the Garo Hills in the west to the Patkai in the east, and even to the northern bank of the Brahmaputra. But the largest population lived in the Mikir Hills of Nowgong, Sibsagar, and the Jaintia Hills, the CEM stated.

 “Our leaders understood this deeply. When India was preparing for independence, Karbi leaders like Samsonsing Ingti, Khorsing Terang, Sarsing Teron, Chatrasing Teron, and many others submitted memoranda demanding that the Karbi people be united under one administration. Unlike other tribes who sought separation from India, the Karbi leaders asked only for unity, protection, and development within Assam.

“Their efforts bore fruit when the Bordoloi Committee recommended that the Mikir Hills be formed as an Autonomous District under the Sixth Schedule. And finally, on 17 November 1951, the Mikir Hills District came into being,” he said.

KAAC Advisor Alwin Teron reflected on the socio-political conditions of Karbi Anglong before and after Independence, paying tribute to the relentless leadership that fought for constitutional safeguards and autonomy. He emphasised the ongoing aspirations of the people and the significance of Article 244(A).