Tirap Frontier Tract: A Land of Rich History and Bitter Reality
The Tirap Frontier Tract, a 4,000-square-kilometer region in the Patkai foothills, was established in 1951 under the Assam government led by Chief Minister Gopinath Bordoloi. Originally divided into two Mouzas, Makum and Tirap, the region is home to 47 villages, predominantly inhabited by communities such as the Tangsa Naga, Sema Naga, Singpho, Tai Khamti, and Tai Phakey. These communities have lived in the region for centuries, with a rich cultural and historical heritage.
However, the region is now facing significant challenges due to alleged illegal land encroachments. Bhogeswar Shyam, a retired Assam government official, alleges that the administration has ignored key land protection laws, allowing non-indigenous settlers to occupy over 1,000 bighas of land. The situation in Kotha village, named after freedom fighter and social reformer King Kotha Jawra Singpho, is particularly dire. The village was previously a tranquil haven for the Singpho tribe, but it has been ravaged by encroachment and neglect.
"We have been living in fear due to repeated attacks by outsiders," said Sen Gam Singpho, the son of the Late King Kotha Jawra Singpho and current chief of Kotha Gam Singpho village. "The situation is becoming increasingly desperate, and we are forced to live on the fringes of our own land." The graveyard of freedom fighter Kotha Jawra Singpho has also been encroached upon, a painful reminder of the region’s troubled past. Shyam claims that the administration has failed to provide basic services, including healthcare and education, to the villagers.
Despite repeated appeals to the administration, local MLA, and other authorities, no concrete actions have been taken to address the issue. Shyam has now planned to take the matter to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), the President of India, and even the United Nations Secretary-General in Geneva. "We are left with no option but to seek international intervention to protect our rights and our land," he said.
The situation in the Tirap Frontier Tract is a stark reminder of the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. As the region’s history and culture are slowly eroding, it is crucial that the Assam government takes immediate action to protect the rights of the local communities and preserve their way of life.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/assam-tirap-tribal-belt-faces-ongoing-land-encroachment-dispute-1186477-2025-03-20?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-03-20 12:00:00
