Minphong Konyak
Mon | July 24
In what could be termed as a historic moment, Tai Ahoms and Konyaks met for the first time after centuries. This meet was necessitated by the recent economic blockade imposed by the AASU, AJYCP and other associations of Assam. KSU said that it had a series of telephonic negotiations with the likes of AASU and AJYCP but nothing substantial could be arrived at. It was only after the blockade that the All Tai Ahoms contacted KSU and proposed a joint meeting at Mon. The Konyaks on its part welcomed the proposal and arranged the meet on the fact that it had shared a common history with the Ahom brothers in the past.
The Ahom team was led by Chao Ashini, president of ATASU, Chao Nabujit Knowar, president of ATASU, Sibsagarh District Committee and a royal descendent of Ahom Raja. Hundreds of curious and eager Konyaks gathered at the Circuit House where the meeting was held. Elders from Konyak villages whose village had shared good relationships with the Ahoms were present to testify. They narrated numerous accounts of the tales of friendship between the Ahoms and the Konyaks. Ahoms too reciprocated with equal enthusiasm and acceptance of the Konyak version. Wanching villagers brought an ancient spade presented to their village by King Godhadur of Ahom (Sibsagarh) who was given shelter by the Konyaks during his exile and who, during his stay in the Konyak land had married a Konyak queen named Watlong.
Ahoms on their part expressed regret over the suffering faced by Konyaks during the blockade. Criticizing the AASU, AJYCP and others for the recent blockade, it was expressed that they were “misleading the Assamese people.” Justifying Ahoms’ non-participation in the blockade, it was also asserted that “all Assamese are not Ahoms” and that they had sympathized with the Konyaks and other Nagas. Right from the time of Sukafa, who first established an Ahom kingdom, the two communities had a cordial relationship but ‘both had slept for too long forgetting the tie the forefathers had shared,’ it was stated.
Talking about rebuilding the Ahom-Konyak bond, it was suggested to begin with organizing cultural exchange programmes within the two communities and also with other neighboring districts of Nagaland. Welcoming the Ahom brothers, cultural items were preformed by citizens of Shangnyu village.
Morung Express News
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