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Khandu assures Govt support on research of indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh

CM Pema Khandu assured government support to research scholars in documenting the historical facts of indigenous tribes Arunachal Pradesh.

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Itanagar

Underscoring the importance of documenting the lesser known historical facts of various indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu today assured government support to research scholars in such endeavours.

Khandu observed that many unknown and unwritten historical facts are being lost due to modernisation and called upon the youths, especially research scholars of Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, to take up research works and document such unaccounted historical facts which have been orally passed down through generations. He said the state government is ready to fund such endeavours through concerned government agencies and research wing of the university.

Speaking at a simple function here this morning to release a book titled ‘The Nyinu Massacre’ Khandu lauded the author – Nepha Wangsa – a scholar of RGU, for taking the pains to go into the historical facts of the unaccounted oral history of the massacre that took place in a remote village in Longding district inhabited by the Wanchos that dates back to 1875.

“We have so many tribes residing in the state. I am sure there would be many unaccounted past events with historical significance, which are not known to the world due to lack of any research and proper documentation,” he observed while candidly admitting that he never heard of the Nyinu Massacre till he got to know about the book release.

Taking advantage of the presence of RGU Professors in the event, Khandu urged them to seriously take up research and documentation of the history of the state and encourage young scholars by mentoring and guiding them. He said the state government is ready to support the university in such fruitful activities.

 

The Chief Minister also lauded AAPSU for supporting Wangsa, who holds the post of Deputy Spokesperson in the Union, in his research and publication of the book.

Advisor to CM Tai Tagak, who personally encouraged Wangsa and has been a guiding force behind the book since its beginning, complimented Wangsa for bringing out the book on an important chapter of the state’s history. He requested the state government to encourage young scholars in this field and expressed hope that the released book would see its second edition with more details and historical facts.

Wangsa, a native of Longding, said he had heard the story of the ‘massacre’ during his childhood and since then wanted to research and document it with historical facts. His research that spanned more than five years took him to places like Sivsagar and Kolkata in search of documented proofs.

Khandu assures Govt support on research of indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh

In the year 1875, a British expedition team led by Captain Badgley and Lieutenant Holcombe reached Nyinu village in present Longding district. The Wanchos resisted their advance and attacked the team killing about 80 persons including Lt Holcombe. In retaliation the British sent its troops with advanced artillery and burnt down many villages like Nyinu, Nyisa, Longkai, Kaimoi, Kamhua and Niaunu of the Wancho warriors.

The only lead for Wangsa for his research was a sole photo of four Wancho prisoners taken in a Calcutta jail, who were arrested for killing Lt Holcombe in 1875.

According to Wangsa, the four were arrested by the British and first taken to a jail in Sivsagar, from where they were moved to Calcutta. However, their whereabouts from there is not known.

Wangsa has requested the state government to facilitate deeper research by coordinating with authorities in Assam and West Bengal to access historical archives.

The book release ceremony was also attended by Art & Culture Secretary Y W Ringu, Chief of Nyinu village Longwang Wangham, AAPSU President Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai and faculty members of RGU.

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