In a first, KAAC chief graces Rengma Ngada in Assam
Morung Express News
Diphu | November 28
When Chento H. Rengma picked up the Nagaland Post this morning, he was elated to see greetings from Nagaland’s Chief Minister and Governor for Ngada, the annual harvest festival of the Rengma Naga people. But he felt a tinge of sadness that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has extended no such greetings to the Rengma Naga people in Assam for decades.
He said this while speaking at the Ngada celebrations in Diphu on Tuesday held under the theme ‘Festival of reconciliation and peace.’ It was hosted by the Rengma Naga Cultural Society, Diphu Zone (RNCS-DZ), Karbi Anglong, at the Rengma Colony in Diphu.
Standing on a Rengma Morung shaped stage, Chento H. Rengma, an elder of his people, said, “For the first time in history, the Chief Executive Member of the KAAC has come to celebrate with us. Ngada indeed is a time for thanksgiving, reconciliation and restoration of peace.”
The CEM of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang, graced the Ngada 2017 celebrations as Chief Guest. Taking the hand of reconciliation, overcoming a past of Rengma-Karbi conflict, Ronghang said, “We need each other for peace, unity and harmony in Karbi Anglong. All cultures here must live together in peace.” On the occasion, he declared Rengma Ngada as a restricted holiday annually, starting 2018. He also declared a new community building at Diphu for the development of Rengma Naga society in Karbi Anglong.
“We also need each other to achieve an autonomous state under Article 244 (A) of the Constitution,” said the CEM. He pointed to Nagaland and Sikkim, noting how “our neighbours are getting Rs. 10-20,000 crores annually” but Karbi Anglong, with 10,434 sq. km. of land and a population of 12 lakh, got only Rs. 282 crore.
For long now, the Nagas in Karbi Anglong as well as Dima Hasao (NC Hills) have sought autonomous councils under this autonomous state.
Meanwhile, Baithalangso MLA, Mansing Rongpi noted that “In Karbi Anglong, we are all micro communities, but despite being small, it is a great feat that the Rengma Nagas have maintained their language, culture and identity.”
Earlier in the day, President of RNCS-DZ, Rega S. Rengma, hoisted a flag to start off the celebrations. He invoked the spirit of Ngada and asked the people to root out enmity from within. He also requested the KAAC to help revive Rengma arts and culture which has remained stagnant for many years now.
Chandrasingh Kro, President of Karbi Cultural Society, also spoke at the event. “To preserve our language is to preserve our culture. Our culture is our identity,” he said.
Also present at the celebrations were representatives of Man-Tai, Dimasa, Kuki, Axom, Bengali etc. people. Marked by several traditional songs by men and women, and dances by the youth, the day ended with the Ngada feast.
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