Karbi Adorbar-its glorious contributions

Karbi Adorbar-its glorious contributions

                                                                                    Kache Teronpi

                                                                                               

Assam came under the British rule after the Yandaboo Treaty in the year 1826.But the other hilly regions of the North-East came under the British rule at different periods of time. Karbi Anglong known as Mikir hills came under the British rule in 1838. The hilly regions of the North-East including NC hills, Jayantia hills, Garo hills, Khasi hills, Naga hills, Mikir hills and Losai hills were kept under the direct administration of the governors due to its remote state and unique social set-up. Even so Mikir hills remained behind in all aspects, the people in the grip of poverty and social ills. Living in far-flung areas, having no permanent land of their own, roaming from hill to hill searching for new jhum lands, the light of education and modernity had not reached the Karbi people scattered all over that large and remote area called the Mikir hills tract and beyond.

            In this grim scenario Samsonsing Ingti became the first graduate from among the Karbis in 1933. He was acutely aware of the backwardness of his people and wanted to unite the whole Karbi people who were scattered all over the North-Eastern hills. Joining government service as a School Inspector, he worked dedicatedly for the education and social uplift of his people.

            In 1937 election was held for the Provincial Assembly in the Hill Tracts. In the background of India’s Independence Movement and the strong immergence of the Indian National Congress, Khorsing Terang,Mouzadar, philanthropist, a popular and influential personality, as congress candidate was elected to represent the Mikir hills tract, defeating Thengkursing Ingti and Mohansing Teron. The total number of voters in that election was 171. Only the Sarkari gaonburas were entitled to vote in those elections, who had to travel long distance to cast their vote in the designated polling centres in the Dak Bungalows outside the Mikir hills Tract. It was a step forward but not enough to bring overall change in the Karbi society.

            In the year 1940, in a meeting at Kathalguri in Nowgong some people from the community assembled to discuss various issues and formed KARBI ADORBAR, the first organisation of the Karbis . Sarsing Teron(Langkung Habe) and Semsonsing Ingti became the President and Secretary respectively. That same year Semsonsing Ingti got married to Labongolota Barua and settled in Nowgong. His house turned into the head office of Karbi Adorbar. And fortunate enough for the organisation, just after a few months of its formation the Assam Governor, Sir Robert Neil Reid passed through Karbi Anglong camping at Mohongdijua. Khorsing Terang, MLA and  resident of Mohongdijua arranged for his stay in a newly constructed and well designed bamboo hut. A memorandum, placed inside a beautifully decorated folder made of fine cane, was submitted to the Governor praying for special protection and development for the Karbis. It was read by Jotson Rongpi of Golaghat, dated 28th October 1940. Semsonsing Ingti , Sarsing Teron and Song Bey also accompanied the Governor as guides up to Golaghat via Malasi while Khorsing Terang and the Civil Sub-Divisional Officer turned back from the second camp due to ill health. During that long journey, Semsonsing Ingti, who had a good command over the English language, utilized that opportunity to present a clear picture of the deprivation of the Karbi people and their habitations.

                            Sarsing  Teron,Langkung Habe,Founder President,Karbi Adorbar

            For convenience Semsonsing Ingti resigned from his govt. Service in 1941  giving full time to his social work. He worked relentlessly to bring a change into the living conditions of his people. With the help of his associates, he campaigned for permanent settlement of the people  giving up their nomadic life and shifting cultivation , restriction on alcohol, reconstitution of large villages instead of small ones comprising of four five households, taking up modern way of cultivation and eradication of opium, the use of which was highly prevalent among the Karbi people then. Sarsing Teron Habe, one of his associates was also a licensed opium seller. But he too left that source of income for the betterment of society. They met the Lindokpo (traditional Karbi king) for the reformation of age old traditions and upliftment of social status of women was also taken up. Hitherto women were not allowed the use of umbrella and to walk in front of men. It was changed for good.  Thus work for social change went on quietly in the hills.

                       Semsonsing Ingti,Founder secretary,Karbi Adorbar

             Khorsing Terang as the MLA was immensely popular and famous as he tried even to help his people in his own capacity as their leader. Known as Khorsing Membor to all he was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly in 1945 as Indian National Congress candidate defeating independent candidates, Birendra Teron and Semsonsing Ingti. The total number of voters in that election was 294.  From 1945 onward there was a strong drive to form all Assam district committees of Karbi Adorbar. Barelong Terang who was member of Karbi Adorbar since 1941 took active part in its meetings organising its branch committees in Golaghat, Bokaghat, Nowgong, Dimapur, Haflong etc. In the meantime the political scenario changed. India was to get independence and a constitutional change was due. So in its annual meet at Kathalguri the issue of a district for the Karbi people was raised. In 1946, in its annual meeting at Habaipur around 2000 people attended. In the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Nowgong  R R Khound, Khorsing Terang, MLA, Asst Inspector of schools Bandhuram Kachari, all the Habes, Karbis from North Lakhimpur, Darrang, Nilip, Rongkhang and presided over by Professor Mahesh Goswami, Karbi Adorbar was reconstituted as political organisation to represent the Karbi people. The name of Khorsing Terang was proposed as President of Karbi Adorbar but he declined being an MLA. So  Sarsing Teron Habe of Hongkram was retained as President and Semsonsing Ingti, Nowgong, as Secretary. Treasurer was BirenTeron, Mouzadar, Duar Amla. The members were Harsing Ingti, Longre; Song Bey, Golaghat ; Thengkrong Rongpi, Mouzadar, Deithor; Bonglong Terang, Dilai; Reverent Hondrowell Millik, Putsari; Kat Tisso, Baghpani; John Kathar, Borthal; Khorsing Ronghang, Mouzadar, Bor Neuria; Langtuk Ingti, Gaobura, Silimkhua and Nihang Rongpi, Deihori. On the 1^st of May 1947, the Karbi Adorbar submitted a memorandum to Sir Andrew Goulay Claw, ICS for due recognition to the association and prayed for its consultation in matters of reconstitution of the country. They visited Shillong and Delhi many times to place various demands for the Karbi people often with financial assistance from Khorsing Terang. They also met the Constituent Assembly to place the same demands.

                         Khorsing Terang,MLA and President Karbi Adorbar

            On 18^th May 1947, Karbi Adorbar met Bordoloi Committee and submitted another memorandum. Khorsing Terang, Semsonsing Ingti, Song Bey, Barelong Terang, Soi Soi Terang, Chatrasing Teron, Bonglong Terang, Sarsing Teron presented themselves before the Committee placing their demand for a district comprising the areas occupied by the Karbi people. In the new district the Karbi people must have the right to self-rule and autonomy. Voting rights, preservation of culture, language, customary law etc. were enlisted in their demand. In the Border Determination Committee Semsonsing Ingti, Song Bey, Sarsing Teron, Khorsing Terang were selected as members for the formation of a district.

            In 1948, the preparation was on for the annual session of Karbi Adorbar to be held at Kasomari in Duar Amla. Semsonsing Ingti’s ceaseless work since 1934 affected his health and started showing signs. Just then the intimation of Boundary Determination Committee meeting reached Karbi Adorbar and they had to leave immediately for Shillong. But unfortunately soon after that the darkest hour for the Karbi people and Karbi Adorbar arrived. On 27^th February 1948 Semsonsing Ingti died at his residence in Nowgong Christain Patty, a few days before the Karbi Adorbar session, to take place in the month of March, for which he had been so enthusiastically working. Semsonsing Ingti left for his heavenly abode without seeing the fulfilment of his cherished dreams.

            But Karbi Adorbar with heavy heart continued and worked on to realise that dream of a Karbi Land for the Karbi people. In 1951 Khorsing Terang became the President of the organisation.

            At last in 1951 the district of United Mikir and North Kachar Hills was formed. An Interim Committee was constituted in the conference of Karbi Adorbar at Kuligaon the same year. Special Officer C S Booth selected members to the Interim Committee for the new district till the election, in the presence of Kabon neli Timungpi Khongmen, MP, Shillong. The members were Khorsing Terang, Nihang Rongphar, Moniram Langneh, Barelong Terang, Sarsing Teron, Habe, Harsing Ingti, Davidlong Enghee, Birendra Teron, Longsing Tisso, John kathar and Dharmeswar Engleng. The committee continued in office till 1952.

            Karbi Adorbar as an ally of the Indian National Congress won the election to the District Council and formed the 1^st   Autonomous District Council Body under the leadership of Khorsing Terang on 23^rd June 1952 under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The elected members were Khorsing Terang CEM, Nihang Rongphar, Sarsing Teron,Habe, Harsing Ingti, Chandra Ingti, Nihang Tokbi, Soisoi Terang, Longsing Tisso, Raidang Ingti, Hondor Millik, Langtuk Ingti and Moniram Engleng.  Karbi Adorbar ruled karbi Anglong till 1978 when Janata supported govt formed the Council. During its long rule, spanning 26 years, it had initiated many progressive measures like road connectivity, establishment of schools, hospitals, model villages, etc. in the new district where so many things had to be done to make a new beginning. Some failures due to inexperience, internal feuds and politics from outside made Karbi Adorbar lose mandate from the people. After the election in 1989, the ASDC came to power ushering in a great change in Karbi Anglong. Karbi Adorbar gradually ceased as a political party, making a quiet exit, paving way for the INC to take over its mantle.

            Nevertheless the work of Karbi Adorbar , Semsonsing Ingti and Khorsing Terang will always be remembered. It cannot be ignored as past. It is of great significance for each and every Karbi even today. Its contribution in acquiring the recognition for the Karbis as a people (tribe) in the pre-independence era just cannot be set aside as it saved them from being completely wiped out in the process of assimilation with other larger communities. On the issues of social reformation and unification of the people also, Karbi Adorbar played a consequential role which should never dim in public memory. Everyone from the community must be grateful and owe their identity and self respect to all those great souls who toiled united as a force under the banner of Karbi Adorbar and the able leadership of Semsonsing Ingty and Khorsing Terang to create a homeland to call their own and unite them as a people. The legacy of Karbi Adorbar must live on and continue as long as the Karbis live.***

***Reference:1.Jana nayak Semsonsing Ingti by Samsing Hanse 2. Smritiprobah by Barelong Terang 3. Karbi Anglogor Rajnoitik Etihash by Borsing Rongphar 4.Abihambadi Jananeta Khorsing Terang by Longkam Teron 5.Karbi Anglong-Election Results Since 1937 by Borsing Romgphar