Anjaw District
Population :18, 428
Collector
STD
Code : 03804
Office : 223666 , Fax : 222540
Home : 222777
Brief
about District
The
Political and Administrative History of Anjaw as a
District dates back to 1914, when British Administration
created North East Frontier Tract to administer three
areas, namely 1) The Central & Eastern Section
2) The Lakhimpur Frontier Tract, and 3) The Western
Section.
In order to look after the tract, a Political Officer
was posted in each section.
In 1919, Central and Eastern Section was renamed as
Sadiya Frontier Tract while Western Section was re-organized
as Balipara Frontier Tract.
Present
Lohit District including Anjaw was a part of Sadiya
Frontier Tract with its headquarter at Sadiya.
The
Administrative Setup of North East Frontier Tract
underwent another change 24 years later when Tirap
Frontier Tract was carved out from Lakhimpur Frontier
Tract in 1943. In 1948, Sadiya Frontier Tract was
bifurcated and two districs namely Abor Hills District,
comprising of Adi inhabitated areas and Mishmi Hills
District, comprising of Mishmi inhabitated areas were
created. Accordingly, North East Frontier Agency came
into existence in the year.
On
13th August 1952, Tezu became the Headquarter of Mishmi
Hills District while Hayuliang was upgraded to the
Headquarter of Asstt. Political Officer that began
functioning by 1953. Two years later, in 1954, Mishmi
Hills District was remnamed as Lohit Frontier Division.
Subsequently, in 1956, Dibang Valley was constituted
as a separate Sub-Division with Headquarter at Roing.
Nine years later, in 1965, Lohit Frontier Division
was changed to Lohit District. For Administrative
Convenience, Dibang Valley with Headquarter at Anini
was carved out of Lohit District in 1980.
Finally,
Anjaw District with its Headquarter at Hawai was created
on 16th February 2004 under The Arunachal Pradesh
Re-organization of Districts Amendment Bill (though
it was deemded to have come into force on 4th December,
2003 with seven Administrative Units, namely Hayuliang,
Hawai, Manchal, Goiliang, Walong, Kibithoo, Chaglogam.
PEOPLE
& CULTURE
The
Mishmis
Mishmis
are animists and believe in a number of higher spiritual
beings, both benevolent and malevolent in character.
Jabmalu or Matai is the highest being in their spiritual
hierachy. Next is Ringya or Amik, as called respectively
by the Tawrahs and Kamans, which is often addressed
alongside Jabmalu or Matai. Jabmalu or Matai is considered
to be the Supreme Creator who controls affairs of
humans while Ringya or Amik, meaning, the Sun Goddess
is regarded as Goddess of truth and justice.
They
invoke her name while seeking or attesting truth.
Below this rank lies myriad spiritual being like Duyuya
or Suto, Thechaya or lumbok, Kesha Kanang or Khinim
Drang, Hutung or Dappa, Buru or Buruya besides many
other malevolent spirits that are propitiated from
time to time on different occasions.
Kabeya,
as called by Tawrahs, or Pharai, as known to the Kamans,
is their traditional Village Council. It is basically
a sort of Clan, Village or Inter-Village Council in
which, besides the Gaonbura, who is a Government Representative,
neutral members and affected parties participate in
the proceedings of the Council. Usually all parties
follow the decision of the Council. However, in cases
of serious allegations or charges of wrong-doings
by a person, people also resort to ordeals employing
pouring of molten iron or scalding of boiling water,
etc to prove truth.
The
Tawrahs call it Pasai while the Kamans know it as
Mashai. They believe that the innocent would go unscathed
even under such stiff test. The decision arrived at
in the course of such ordeals normally get social
sanction, and are complied with by all.
Mishmis
are also well-known for their expertise in weaving
and handicrafts. Their women make beautiful jackets
for both male and female, skirts of various designs
and colours while men make different cane and bamboo
crafts.
The
Meyors
They
are a small population of around four hundred, inhabiting
Walong and Kibithoo circles of the district.
Traditionally, the Meyors are animists though lately
they have also imbibed ideas of Mahayana Buddhism.
A few Gonpas, including the first one built in 1960
at Kaho village with Government help, stand testimony
to this.
There are fifteen Meyor villages in all. They are
Kaho, Mosai, Danbari, Kundun, Khroti, Yakung, Bara
Kundun, Kunjuk, Walong, Tinai, Dong, Tilam, Sapkung,
and Pankung. The villages are spread on either side
of Lohit River flowing down through the region. The
people are mostly cultivators though recently a few
of them taken to business activities and Govenrment
jobs.
The
Meyors celebrate a number of festivals including Losar.
Their major festivals are Sungkhu, Tsotangpho Wangley,
Tso Tangpo. Sungkhu is observed in August - September
period and is associated with harvest of new food
grains. The people offer their first harvest to God
Yodak. Tso Tangpo is a Spring festival performed in
April every year. The Meyors are peace-loving, hard-working
and co-exist with their Mishmi neighbours peacefully.
PLACES OF TOURIST
INTEREST
Situated
at a distance of 100 KMs from Tezu, the Headquarter
of Lohit District, Hayuliang is the Sub-Divisional
Headquarter. According to Mishmi dialect, "Hayuliang"
means, 'the place of my liquor'.
Ideally located at an altitude of 750 Mt. above Mean
Sea Level, Hayuliang enjoys a pleasant, cool and salubrious
climate. The beautiful panaromic view of the confluence
of Dalai and Lohit Rivers and scenic surrounding make
the place worth visiting. It has a Government Inspection
Bungalow, a Higher Secondary School, a State Bank
of India branch, Telephone Exchange, TV Transmitter,
and a Community Health Centre.
Hawai
Hawai,
the young District Headquarter, is located on the
left of the Lohit River at about 58 KMs South-East
of Hayuliang by road. "Hawai" in Kaman Mishmi dialect
means "Pond". This beautiful township is situated
at an altitude of 1296 Mt. above sea level.
It is connected by a Cable Suspension Bridge, named
as Anjaw, over the mighty Lohit River.
ts
pleasant climate, scenic landscape and unique ethnic
culture make it one of the best places for visits.
Chaglogam
Another
remote Circle Headquarter, Chaglogam is a picturesque
place located on the left of Dalai River. It is 170
KMs and 107 KMs from Tezu and Hawai respectively.
The surface communication to the place is soon likely
to be connected by road under Border Road Organization.
Situated
at about 1258 Mt. abobe Mean Sea Level, Chaglogam
is a potential place for tracking, angling, and adventure
sports like rafting, mountaineering, and similar sports.
The place is a haven for the nature lovers.
Walong
It
is situated at an altitude of about 1094 Mt. above
sea level and 200 KMs from Tezu, Walong is a Circle
Headquarter with a tremendous tourism potential.
The word "Walong" in Mishmi dialect means "a place
with full of bamboos."
Historically prominent because of it being the scene
of gallant fight by Indian Soldiers and invading Chinese
forces in 1962 and endowed with spectacular landscapes,
Walong is a popular tourist destination in the district.
Namti
Valley, commonly called as Namti Maidan, is placed
above 7 KM from Walong on the way to Kibithoo. The
fiercest battle of 1962 was fought in this valley.
The beautiful age-old pines standing in witness of
the supreme sacrifice made by the brave Indian Soldiers
defending the borders of scarifice renders Namti Maidan
a special tourist spot.
To commemorate the exemplary sacrifice of our brave
soldiers, a beautiful War Memorial has been built
at Walong.
The
climate is cool and salubrious. A hot spring beside
the Lohit at a distance of 4 KMs from Walong is another
attraction for all kinds of visitors.
Hot
Spring
Besides
the one near Walong, there is another hot spring located
at a distance of 39 KM from the confluence of the
Lohit and the Dichu River. It is 64 KM towards East
from Kibithoo.
The region is endowed with spectacular landscapes
of picturesque plateaus and valleys and snow-clad
hills.
Dong
Located
on the left of Lohit River, Dong is a small but beautiful
village of Meyor Communities. Surrounded by majestic
snow-capped mountains and picturesque pine forests,
the village welcomes earliest sunrise in in the country.
Situated
at a distance of seven KM from Walong, it is connected
by a nice foot suspension bridge over the Lohit.
Kibithoo
Kibithoo
is a small but beautiful Circle Headquarter located
close to the Indo-Cina Border at an altitude of about
1305 Mt. above sea level. Nestled on the right bank
of the mighty Lohit, it is 140 KM away to the North
of Hayuliang.
The whispering pine forests, wild rash berries, beautiful
flowers and majestic waterfalls from the surrounding
hills set against tall blue hills add grandeur to
it. Its climate is cool and salubrious.
The
place also witnessed some of the severest fights by
Indian Soldiers against the Chinese in 1962.
Kibithoo township is endowed with recently commissioned
30 KW Micro-Hydel Electricity Project. Further work
on 5 KW Micro-Hydel for Kaho village is in advanced
stage of completion. |
