West Karbi Anglong district | |
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![]() Hills in Baithalangso | |
![]() Location in Assam | |
Coordinates(Hamren): 17°21′N75°10′E / 17.35°N 75.16°E - 18°19′N76°09′E / 18.32°N 76.15°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Assam |
Division | Central Assam |
Established | 15 August 2016 |
Headquarters | Hamren |
Government | |
• Lok Sabha constituencies | Autonomous District (shared with Dima Hasao & Karbi Anglong district) |
• Vidhan Sabha constituencies | Baithalangso |
Area | |
• Total | 3,035 km2 (1,172 sq mi) |
Population (2011) [1] | |
• Total | 295,358 |
• Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Assamese [2] |
• Regional | § Languages |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
Website | westkarbianglong |
The West Karbi Anglong district is an administrative unit in the Indian state of Assam. It is a relatively new district formed out of the existing Karbi Anglong district in 2016. The administrative headquarters of the district is located at Hamren. The district is a part of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and is administered according to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. [3]
The name West Karbi Anglong, reflects its origin as a portion carved from the Western part of the Karbi Anglong district in 2016. Karbi is the name of the indigenous tribe that lives in and around the region while Anglong is the word they use in the Karbi language to mean a "hill" or a "mountain". So the term Karbi Anglong literally means Karbi Hills. [4]
Prior to the British colonisation of the area, the hill tribes of Northeast India maintained their independence from the surrounding settled kingdoms due to their geographic location being relatively isolated from the rest of the Brahmaputa valley. Following the recommendations of the Simon Commission, the hills area (now comprising the present-day districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao) was granted a different status under Section 92 of the Government of India Act, 1935. Classified as "Partially Excluded Areas," the Mikir Hills was exempt from the jurisdiction of the Assam government and was administered directly under the special powers of the Governor. [5]
In the mid-1930s, Semsonsing Ingti, widely considered the "Father and architect of Karbi nation and nationalism," alongside figures like Khorsing Terang, Seng Bey, and Nihang Rongphar, emerged from the community to demand a separate administrative unit for the Karbis. In 1940, Ingti and his colleagues submitted a memorandum to the then Assam Governor, Sir Robert Neil Reid, at Mohungodijua. To further intensify the movement, a socio-political organisation called the Karbi-A-Dorbar was formed in 1946. [6]
After India gained independence, United Mikir & North Cachar Hills, a former hill district in Assam, was constituted on 17 November 1951, under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. And on 2 February 1970, it was divided into two separate districts: Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. [7] Despite its division in 1970, the region formerly known as the United Mikir & North Cachar Hills district continues to see ongoing aspirations for an autonomous state. [8] [9]
In 2016, the Karbi Anglong district was further divided into two, of which the whole existing area of the Hamren Civil sub-division, which included towns like Dongkamukam, Hamren and Baithalangso (Vothatlangso) and other adjoining areas formed the new district of West Karbi Anglong. Hamren was made the headquarter of the newly created district. However, the pre-existing Karbi Anglong district was not renamed to East Karbi Anglong. [10]
The Karbi Anglong plateau is an extension of the Indian Plate (The Peninsular Block) in the state of Assam, India. This area receives maximum rainfall from the Southwest summer Monsoon from June through September. [11] It is bounded by Dima Hasao district in the East, Morigaon district in the west, Morigaon, Nagaon, and Hojai districts in the north, and the state of Meghalaya and Dima Hasao district in the south. [3]
The West Karbi Anglong district is situated between 25° 33' and 26º 09' north latitude and 92º 08' and 93º 04' east longitude [3] and it occupies an area of 3,035 square kilometres. [12] The important rivers of this district are: The Myntriang river, Karbi Langpi river, Kopili river and Amreng river. Among these rivers, Hydroelectricity powerplants have been set up on the Myntriang and Karbi Langpi rivers. [13] [14]
The district has hills and plains covered with dense tropical forests and has State Reserved Forests in Amreng, Rongkhang and Jakota. The district also has District Council Reserved Forests in Sarchim, Kolonga and Amreng (1st Edition and 2nd Edition). Despite numerous hills dotting the district, only a few qualify as mountains. Laru Peak, standing at 1,290 meters above sea level, is the highest. [3]
In 2001, the Donka sub-district of Karbi Anglong, which later became a part of West Karbi Anglong district, had a population of 2,47,169, which rose to 2,95,358 in 2011. The following table provides information about the decadal variation in population from 2001–2011 as well as the population distribution of the district, as of 2011: [1]
Rural/Urban | Population | Decadal variation (2001–2011) | Percentage of population | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 2011 | 2001 | 2011 | ||
Rural | 2,30,484 | 2,77,495 | 20.40% | 93.25% | 93.95% |
Urban | 16,685 | 17,863 | 7.06% | 6.75% | 6.05% |
Total | 2,47,169 | 2,95,358 | 19.50% | 100% | 100% |
According to the 2011 census, West Karbi Anglong district has a population of 2,95,358. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 19.50%. The West Karbi Anglong district has a sex ratio of 954 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 63.35%. 17,863 (6.05%) of the total population lives in urban areas. The Scheduled Tribes comprise 65.52% (1,93,518) of the population, while Scheduled Castes make up 3.87% (11,438). [1]
According to the 2011 census data, Hindus form the majority religious community within the district, comprising 79.51% of the total population. Christians constitute the second-largest religious group, accounting for 19.14%. The remaining 1.35% of the population either practices other religions [lower-alpha 1] or did not state their religion. [15]
Religion | Population (2001) [16] | Percentage | Population (2011) | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hinduism | 2,00,251 | 81.02% | 2,34,833 | 79.51% |
Christianity | 44,221 | 17.89% | 56,538 | 19.14% |
Others [lower-alpha 2] | 2697 | 1.09% | 3,987 | 1.35% |
Total Population | 2,47,169 | 100% | 2,95,358 | 100% |
According to the 2011 census, Karbi is spoken as a first language by 49.68% of the population. Other languages include Bhojpuri (10.37%), Nepali (6.98%), Bengali (5.89%), Garo (5.73%), Tiwa (5.43%), Assamese (4.69%), Khasi (3.27%), Hindi (3.18%), Dimasa (1.45%), and Boro (1.28%). [17]
The district is administrated under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. The CEM or Chief executive member of the district is supported by 14 Executive Members of the Council. [18] The Principal Secretary (generally an officer selected from IAS/ACS cadre) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is the administrative head of the district. [19] The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the maintenance of law & order, and administration of justice.
Hamren is the district headquarter. The district has one sub-division, namely Hamren sub-division, and one Revenue circle, Dongkamukam. [20]
There is one legislative assembly constituency, No. 20, Baithalangso (ST) in West Karbi Anglong. There are also nine autonomous council constituencies in West Karbi Anglong: Duar Amla, Amri, Chinthong, Socheng, Rongkhang, Bithung Rengthama, Kopili, Hamren and Amreng. [21]
There are four development blocks under West Karbi Anglong district: Amri development block, Chinthong development block, Rongkhang development block and Socheng development block. [21]
The West Karbi Anglong district have four police stations at the following locations: Hamren, Baithalangso, Kheroni and Jirikindeng. There are also five Police outposts in the following locations: Donkamokam, Ulukunchi, Amtereng, Mailoo and Makoilum. [21]
Agriculture is the primary economic activity for residents of the West Karbi Anglong district. Major crops cultivated in the district include ginger, sugarcane, maize, cotton, coconut, chilies, and black pepper.
Livestock rearing in Assam is highly livelihood-oriented, with over 90% of households in the district engaging in it. Pig rearing is the most common livestock activity, with nearly every tribal household in semi-urban and rural areas raising a small unit of local or exotic breeds. Dairy farming has the potential to become a major occupation for unemployed educated youth and provide significant supplemental income for small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, and women in the district. [22]
The district headquarter is well connected by road. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Transport buses run at regular intervals from the district headquarters to major destinations like Guwahati, Nagaon, Diphu, Lanka, Hojai and Jowai. As for railways there are currently no stations within the district. The nearest railway station from Hamren is in Hojai which is 48 kilometres away. There is also no airport in the district and the nearest one is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. [23]
Karbi Anglong district is an administrative unit in the Indian state of Assam. It is an autonomous district administered by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) according to the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the constitution of India. The district headquarters is in Diphu.
Dima Hasao district, is an administrative district in the state of Assam, India. As of 2011, it is the least populous district of Assam.
Diphu is the headquarter of Karbi Anglong district in the state of Assam in India. This small town is a popular tourist hill station for people of nearby cities.
The Karbis or Mikir are one of the major ethnic community in Northeast India. They are mostly concentrated in the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong of Assam.
Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency is one of former Lok Sabha constituencies in the Indian state of Assam. The constituency consists of three autonomous districts namely Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district.
The Dimasa people are an ethnolinguistic community presently inhabiting in Assam and Nagaland states in Northeastern India. They speak Dimasa, a Tibeto-Burman language. This community is fairly homogeneous and exclusive, with members required to draw from both parents' separate clans. Dimasa kingdom, one of many early states in Assam following the downfall of Kamarupa kingdom, was established by these people. The Dimasas were till recently agricultural, centering on shifting agriculture; but in recent times this has changed with profound changes in the community. Following political problems in the 18th century, the Dimasa ruler moved further south in the plains of Cachar and there took place a division among them–with the hills Dimasa maintaining their traditional living and political exclusiveness, the plains Dimasas have made no attempt to assert themselves.
The Dimasa language is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Dimasa people of the Northeastern Indian states of Assam and Nagaland. The Dimasa language is known to Dimasas as "Grao-Dima" and it is similar to Boro, Kokborok and Garo languages.
Dongkamukam is a town and a town area committee in West Karbi Anglong district in the state of Assam, India.
This article discusses the geological origin, geomorphic characteristics, and climate of the northeastern Indian state of Assam. Extending from 89° 42′ E to 96° E longitude and 24° 8′ N to 28° 2′ N latitude, it has an area of 78,438 km2, similar to that of Ireland or Austria.
Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front was a militant group operating in Karbi Anglong district and Dima Hasao district of Assam, India. Thong Teron was the general secretary of KLNLF. Karbi Anglong NC Hills People's Resistance was the armed wing of the organization. KLNLF emerged from the United People's Democratic Solidarity, being against the peace talks between the UDPS and the government. After the split, there has been turf wars between the two groups.
The Karbi language is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Karbi people of Northeastern India.
The Tiwa people, are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group primarily inhabiting the Northeast Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, and some parts of neighbouring Bangladesh and Myanmar.
United People's Democratic Solidarity was formed in March 1999 with the merger of two terrorist outfits in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, the Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) and Karbi People's Front (KPF).
Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank (LDRB) was an Indian rural bank (RRB). It was created on 27 January 1982 under Section 3 (1) of Regional Rural Bank Act 1976. It was created under the aegis of the State Bank of India. The main office of the Bank is situated at Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong District.
Assam – 16th largest, 15th most populous and 26th most literate state of the 28 states of the democratic Republic of India. Assam is at 14th position in life expectancy and 8th in female-to-male sex ratio. Assam is the 21st most media exposed states in India. The Economy of Assam is largely agriculture based with 69% of the population engaged in it. Growth rate of Assam's income has not kept pace with that of India's during the Post-British Era; differences increased rapidly since the 1970s. While the Indian economy grew at 6 percent per annum over the period of 1981 to 2000, the same of Assam's grew only by 3.3 percent.
Baithalangso Assembly constituency is one of the 126 constituencies of the Assam Legislative Assembly in India. Baithalangso is in West Karbi Anglong district of Assam and forms a part of the Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency. This seat is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Hills and Central Assam division is an administrative division of Assam under the jurisdiction of a Division Commissioner, who is officially stationed at Nagaon. It consists of the following districts: Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Nagaon and Marigaon.
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is an autonomous district council in the state of Assam, India for development and protection of tribals living in area namely Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district. The council is constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and administratively functions under the Government of Assam. It was formed with the name Karbi Anglong District Council on 17 November 1951. Later changed to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council on 23 June 1952, which is now celebrated as its foundation day. After Signing of M.O.U. between Government of India, Government of Assam and United People's Democratic Solidarity, it was renamed to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council. It has administrative functions over two district, Karbi Anglong district and West Karbi Anglong district. Its headquarters is in Diphu, Karbi Anglong district. The total area of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is 10,434 sq. km having a population of 961,275 as of 2011.